Hell in the Hall

Sometimes it feels that even when we are trying our best to do good and try to get the best we can out of life things happen that hinder it. I say that if you have placed your entire life in the hands of God and trust in Him completely, when someone slams a door in your face just look for the open window, or perhaps there is another door! 

I heard a quote that is worth repeating right here: “Sometimes when there is a closed door and God opens another one, there is Hell in the hall.” 

Does that mean that because God is giving us something good we have to walk through Hell to get it? 

I don’t know the complete-all-the-time answer for that, but I do remember the story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his own brothers! One thing led to another and eventually he ended up being the ruler who was second in command only to the Pharaoh! After he had helped his brothers and gave them forgiveness, he said to them, “You meant this for evil, but God turned it for good! “

So, we see that in Joseph’s case he walked through a lot of Hell before he got to the golden door. It may be that you are going through a tough time right now and need to know exactly which door to go through so do what I do, I pray that the wrong doors will all be slammed in my face so that I don’t have to make a decision.

Does that always work? No, if it did we would never gain wisdom, knowledge or understanding.

James 1:5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

I believe there are times that God wants to see how we react to certain situations and I hope He never gets disappointed when He watches me in the way I have seen disappointed and scared parents watching their children react in ways they never thought they would. In hidden camera, set-up situations children have been tempted to get in a car with a stranger to go help them find “a lost puppy” and the times they actually did get into that car, even though the parents had grilled them on that very scenario!

God gave us His very own Word, in the Bible and in the flesh through Jesus Christ, and all we have to do is follow his instructions, but do we always do what we have been instructed? Sadly no, of course I am only speaking for myself here…

Here’s help: Revelation 3:8 I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.

When I read those words, I know that God’s plan for my life cannot be stopped if I only trust Him! He opened a door for me that no one can slam shut! WOW!

Don’t be afraid to step out in faith on those plans, but if they get stopped, don’t be devastated, just consider it a shut door because if God had opened it, it would have remained open, put your life in His big, strong, capable hands!

When something is on my mind as strongly as this subject was it makes me think that someone who reads me must really be trying to make a hard decision.

Prayerfully look for the open door but don’t be afraid if you find a closed one and if you face Hell in the hall, He will get you through it!