“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”
~ Alexander Graham Bell ~
Not unlike many of us, I don’t like closed doors. Have you ever walked through a turnstile in a building or train station and then try to go back through that same turnstile? It doesn’t open and you have no choice except to either continue forward or find another entrance. Oftentimes, in life I will just continue forward – especially if what I’m leaving behind is doing more harm than good.
It’s often the same with decisions that are made in life. When I was diagnosed with a chronic disease, I was angry. I was not in denial regarding my health; I made regular visits to my doctor’s office getting annual physicals so that I could stay on top of my health. I did not know the symptoms of my disease and was caught totally off guard when I heard the diagnosis. I was not happy with the diagnosis, but it is what it is. I think about Philippians 3:14, which says, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” I can’t move forward if I’m looking back.
Some of you have heard me say that a chronic disease is more than a diagnosis; it is a wake-up call to a lifestyle change. I don’t like change, but as we know, change is a necessary ingredient to growth and wisdom. A plant cannot grow without water. Wisdom cannot be attained without experience. Although I would like to go back to my days before my diagnosis, that is impossible because what’s past is past. The only choice I have is to move forward. The door behind me may have closed, but the door ahead of me is wide open and full of possibilities.
It is a choice. I can try to go back and spend my days trying to reopen a door that God has closed. Or I can go forward on the path that has been prepared for me. The path is narrow with curves and a few bumps – one of which are the chronic diseases that present themselves as thorns and distractions. The door that I have entered is customized to my needs. The desire is to strengthen me. I receive encouragement along the way. I’ve come to love my door – whether it’s open or closed. I consider it a roadmap that leads me. Prayer and relationship is the key to my door. Have you identified your door? All of us have one. If the door is jammed shut, you may want to consider looking for the door that is open.
Looking at a closed door won’t change anything. What’s done is done. As my pastor says, “You can’t unscramble scrambled eggs.”
By Lorraine Castle
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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