Praise Him in the Hallway

We've heard the phrase "When one door closes, another one opens" more times than we can even count. But what happens when one door closes, and another doesn't open immediately? You experience a waiting game and aren't exactly sure how to deal with it. You constantly fear what happens next..Or you sit and ponder on your changed situation, wishing you could go back to "how things were." Stop.

If something in your life goes opposite than as planned, don't expect a better opportunity immediately. Patience is key. Instead, until this "new door" is opened, praise Him in the hallway and believe that it's all in His will.  It may not be tomorrow. It may not be next week, next month, or even next year. But God has a plan with your best interests in mind. You can't open your hands to what He's trying to give you next if you're still holding on to yesterday's junk. 

Stop waiting for that guy to call. Quit wondering why you weren't good enough to get that job. Forget that one mistake that you made four years ago. Don't beg him to stay. Quit stressing so much over financial difficulties. Don't worry, a baby isn't the end of the world. You will make it. If you didn't get in to nursing school, medical school, or some other program, maybe this is your opportunity to try something else or push yourself to work even harder to achieve your goals. Stop wondering what you did to cause someone hurt you. You aren't the problem. They are. Normal people don't go around destroying other human beings. Stop waiting for the day that your ex will come back. If they left in the first place, they aren't the one. You'll fight through this illness. Our God is a healer. Believe that. Not everyone is going to like you. Keep your close friends close and forget the others. Life is too short to be in the company of someone who genuinely doesn't want you there. I know you thought you'd end up with your high school sweetheart, but don't worry, you'll meet the one you're truly meant for when the time comes. Stop regretting words you've said. You said them. It happened. Move on. Stop worrying so much. Don't try continue things that were ended for a purpose. Don't put a comma where God specifically placed a period. You're going to make mistakes; the wrong career, the wrong major, the wrong boyfriend. Everything happens for a reason. You'll learn something, recover, and come back better than ever.

I know you can't see it right now, but during these tough times, God is twisting you, molding you, and strengthening you. You're going to come out of this difficulty stronger than you've ever been. 

Sometimes there are things in our life that aren't meant to stay. Sometimes change may not be what we want, but it's what we need. Sometimes saying "goodbye" is one of the hardest things you'll have to do, but it's for the best. Sometimes change seems like too much to bear, but most of the time change is the only thing saving your life.

Let go and let God. I know that it's hard to accept this fact, but you are not the author of your life. Your story was written far before you were even brought into this world. Know that when something is taken away, He isn't trying to ruin your life. He is saying "I took this away because it isn't right for you. Move on. Try something else. Grow. Change. Strengthen your heart and mind." Your life may not be going as you planned it, but it is going exactly the way God planned it. 

Xoxo,

Hope Rodriguez