Closed doors are typically viewed as disappointments. Whether it’s a house you were dreaming of purchasing, the job you longed for, or a witnessing opportunity that didn’t end as you hoped, closed doors happen.

So, is there a way to look at closed doors as something positive?

Let’s follow Paul on his second missionary journey. Paul and Silas headed out from Jerusalem. They traveled north through Syria and Cilicia stopping to strengthen the churches and picking up Timothy along the way.

Then, “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas” (Acts 16:6-8).

Talk about closed doors! I wonder how Paul felt about that? Was he discouraged, confused, angry, or doubting his purpose or mission?

Whatever he felt, God soon gave clarity. Paul received a vision at night in which a man from Macedonia begged Paul to come and help.

Look what God had done. Paul and his team just “happened” to be in the port city of Troas, where they soon put out to sea headed northwest for Macedonia. Paul knew exactly where he was to preach the gospel next, and the gospel would eventually spread to Europe.

Of course, it’s a lot easier to praise God after we experience open doors. But maybe we can learn to thank Him for the closed doors as well, especially if we remember that He is working behind the scenes on our behalf. We can trust that He knows best and is working for our good. And besides, it means we are another closed door closer to the one He will open!