FROM THE KEYBOARD

In God’s economy, a closed door is never a dead end—it’s divine direction, always proving to be a Godsend. You see, the Holy Spirit leads us just as much through closed doors as through open ones, teaching us to trust His perfect plan. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Whatever we keep in our hands can be lost, but what we commit to God’s hands is eternally kept. Thus, let us know that we cannot lose nor can we be lost when we have committed it all to His trust. “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

According to the Bible, we’re called to share in suffering for the gospel—not for weirdness’ sake, but for righteousness’ sake. Like the pressure that forms diamonds or the pain that builds muscle, God uses these challenges to unleash His power in us. Yes, the process may be painful and pointed, but it has a purpose. That purpose is that suffering leads to something beautiful according to His plan. “But share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8).

Life can feel overwhelming, tempting us to rely on our own strength. Yet, faith in our own strength is no faith at all. It’s not “I can, so I will.” It’s “I can, according to His will.” True strength comes from trusting in His will and power, not our own willpower. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

The battle may be long and hard to us, but the battle belongs to the Lord. In our struggles, we can trust in the truth that God is fighting for us. Therefore, "do not be afraid nor dismayed... for the battle is not yours, but God’s" (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Those who cannot see the hand of God in life have likely never been delivered by it from death. Sadly, they have not been delivered by His hand because they have not reached out for His hand. "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses" (Psalm 107:19).