Have you ever wondered if God is opening a door or if something is just an enemy teasing you with a new “opportunity”? It can be difficult to know if your good idea is an “idea from God” and a sign from Him. In fact, I believe that certain things that are proposed to us are only holy distractions. Although the opportunity may seem “good on paper,” it simply isn’t meant for you at this time in your life.
In my own life, I can attest to wasting years following signs that I thought God would be in the middle of, only to learn that my own ambition led me there, not God’s voice. Likewise, there have been times when I missed an open door opportunity because of fear or personal confusion. I wonder how much time was wasted pursuing opportunities that God never allowed. Without the certainty of each day, it is important to use discernment to choose the path that makes the most of our time on Earth. Our choices will have a direct effect on our lives and those of generations to come. Walking through the right doors at the right time is serious business and should not be taken lightly; rather, it should be done with prayer and wisdom.
Through it all, I have learned that there are many indicators and signs that reveal God’s will for His children.
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1. Opportunity supported by Scripture
A major aspect of discerning an open door is recognizing whether it will be consistent with Scripture. Quite simply, the Lord will not “bless” you with the opportunity to sin or contradict His word. Chances are that if your open door leads you to act according to the fruit of the flesh, described in Galatians 5:19-21it does not come from God. So if you have the opportunity to rob a bank or aggressively confront someone who has hurt you, it is very likely that the Holy Spirit will not prompt you to do so.
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2. Answered prayer
If you have prayed specifically, this upcoming opportunity may be an answer to your prayer. Often we pray for something, but when God brings manifestation, we begin to doubt. The truth is that God answers the prayers of his children. We should know that if we seek the Lord for any of His promises to us, He can certainly answer. Remember that nothing is impossible with God!
And that is the trust we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in all that we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-16)
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3. Confirmation of wise counsel
Proverbs 11:14 reminds us that victory is achieved through the advice of many advisors. If you’re not sure whether this next opportunity is from God, look for someone who operates in wisdom. By doing so, they will be able to recognize possible conflicts without emotional attachment. Although you shouldn’t be vulnerable with everyone, pray that God highlights someone you can confide in.
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4. Discomfort in your current situation
If you are feeling a high level of discomfort in your current situation, this open door may be God’s opportunity to free you from your peril. This doesn’t mean that discomfort is a sign that you’re not in the right place. God uses struggle and suffering to sharpen and refine us, and give birth to something new.
But sometimes we hold on tightly to destructive situations. In our quest for “don’t give up” we stand in God’s way when He provides a means of escape. Just like the story of Joseph, we must be prepared to move from the prison to the palace (Genesis 41). We must be willing to allow God to move us into our new thing. Remember that when God calls you to release something, it is not a defeat, but a victory!
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5. Opportunities you didn’t ask for
There are times when God blesses you and you don’t see it coming. Your obedience, your gifts, and your humility have simply opened doors that you didn’t need to ask for. Consider the story of Saul found in 1 Samuel 9. Although he never asked to become king, God saw fit for him to walk under a new anointing. Some open doors are so huge that if you knew in advance, you would let doubt and your personal insecurities sabotage your open door.
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6. God speaks in a dream
Throughout the Bible we see that the Lord speaks in dreams. It is in those times when we cannot oppose or hinder God from helping our hearts. From showing me my future children to my current ministry, the Lord gave me dreams to confirm what He was doing. Rather than thinking of your dreams as random thoughts of the day, keep a journal and write down what you remember in the morning. The Lord may be speaking about your next opportunity, but you may be too distracted to notice it. Just as God put Adam to sleep before creating his greatest gift, God can use your time of rest to birth a new plan in you.
“For God speaks – now in one way, now in another – even though no one notices it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people, while they sleep in their beds.” (Labor 33:14-15)
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7. It blesses others
If your open door is a blessing to many around you, it may be from the Lord. This can sometimes be tricky. I learned that not every good idea is a “God idea,” no matter how many people benefit from it. However, God-given opportunities can have a positive ripple effect on other people. We are called to be a blessing to others. When we do this, it brings glory to the God we represent. Take a moment to evaluate how walking through this door will positively or negatively affect others.
“He who blesses others is abundantly blessed; he who helps others is helped.” (Proverbs 11:25)
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8. It brings peace
When the Lord brings a new opportunity, it must not be full of confusion. Even if you face opposition from the enemy here and there, you can still have peace. One of my favorite sayings is, “Let the peace of God guide you.” In other words, as you move in the direction God is calling you, you will find that you can face opposition with confidence, knowing that God is in charge of your path.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, declares the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. »
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9. Confirmed by prayer
Although there are many ways to know if God is speaking, hearing His voice trumps them all. There will be certain doors that God will bring you through that go against conventional wisdom or patterns. I challenge you not to shy away from these opportunities but to seek the Lord in prayer. The more we are connected to God in prayer, the easier it will be to hear His voice accurately. Ultimately, it will be his voice that illuminates the paths you must take. All other opportunities, no matter how great they may initially seem, may simply be a distraction in your life.
My prayer is that you proceed boldly, knowing that if God speaks, it will be great. May you not allow any insecurity, naysayers, or doubts to deceive you from what God is trying to bless you with. Receive this new opportunity with faith and humility in the name of Jesus.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; submit to him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. » (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“I will instruct you and teach you the path you should follow; I will advise you with my loving eye upon you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, who have no intelligence but must be controlled by bit and bridle, or they will not come to you.” (Psalm 32:8-9)
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Originally published on Friday February 22, 2019.
