When God closes a door, does He always open a window — or is that just something we tell ourselves?

Paul was "forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia" (Acts 16:6) — and then had a vision of the Macedonian man, redirecting him to Europe. God's closed doors are often divine redirections toward something better. Joseph's path through the pit, the slave market, and prison looks like doors slamming — but each one was movement toward his purpose.

The "closed door = open window" formula can become a way to avoid grief and the uncomfortable reality of a fallen world where things don't always work out as planned. Not every broken relationship is preparation for a better one. Not every failed business is redirection to a calling. Job's losses were not explained away — God honored his lament. Sometimes faithful people just lose, and making meaning too quickly dishonors the loss.