--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Often God has to shut a door in our face…" description: "\"Often God has to shut a door in our face, so that He can subsequently open the door through which He wants us to go.\" — Catherine Marshall" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/catherine-marshall-11762_adversity_often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face_397570.jpg" --- # Often God has to shut a door in our face, so that He can… ![“Often God has to shut a door in our face, so that He can subsequently open the door through which He wants us to go.” quote by Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/catherine-marshall-11762_adversity_often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face_397570.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/catherine-marshall-11762_adversity_often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face_397570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/catherine-marshall-11762_adversity_often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face_397570.jpg) > “Often God has to shut a door in our face, so that He can subsequently open the door through which He wants us to go.” [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Divine obstacles are purposeful, leading to greater opportunities aligned with a higher plan **In simple terms:** God closes some doors to open better ones for you Key Takeaway Trust that setbacks are part of a larger purpose Themes faith divine providence trust Mood hopeful reflective Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - career setbacks - relationship breakups - health challenges - spiritual crises Key Concepts spiritual growth purposeful suffering guidance Questions to Reflect On - What doors have you seen close before a better one opened? - How do you discern divine guidance from personal desire? A Different Perspective Interpretation of “door” can be subjective and may excuse inaction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Open Door](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-door/) ## Related quotes > [Oh my god will you shut the front door already!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-riley/oh-my-god-will-you-shut-the-front-door-already/) [Alex Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-riley/) > [If god shut the door,stop banging on it,trust that whatever is behind it is not meant for you..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/if-god-shut-the-door-stop-banging-on-it-trust-that-whatever-is-behind/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Nobody can shut the door in your face if you own the door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerby-jean-raymond/nobody-can-shut-the-door-in-your-face-if-you-own-the-door/) [Kerby Jean-Raymond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerby-jean-raymond/) > [“Happiness finds its way to those who have their doors open. Don't shut the door on its face and complain of never finding it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mansi-soni/happiness-finds-its-way-to-those-who-have-their-doors-open-don-t-shut/) Mansi Soni > [“The door opened just a crack, and a silver of Nathan appeared. I gave him a tentative smile. He shut the door in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-thompson/the-door-opened-just-a-crack-and-a-silver-of-nathan-appeared-i-gave/) [Alicia Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-thompson/) > [Every day I go to my study and sit at my desk and put the computer on. At that moment, I have to open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/every-day-i-go-to-my-study-and-sit-at-my-desk-and-put-the-computer-on/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“When I believe ultimate happiness is found only in God, then I will shut out distractions and open His Word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/when-i-believe-ultimate-happiness-is-found-only-in-god-then-i-will/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [Thank God for that. You can shut them, say, 'Hold on a moment.' You play God to it. But who has ever torn himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/thank-god-for-that-you-can-shut-them-say-hold-on-a-moment-you-play/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [The worse I am, the more I need God. I can't shut myself out from His mercy. 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With God's promise in your hand, that's exactly what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macdonald/while-you-can-t-keep-fear-from-visiting-you-can-slam-the-door-in-it-s/) [James MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macdonald/) > [“A smug smile spread across Conall’s face, and although she wanted to slap it off, she spun on a heel and stalked inside, shutting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-savage/a-smug-smile-spread-across-conall-s-face-and-although-she-wanted-to/) [Vivienne Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-savage/) > [If you're shy, get the hell over it: You're slamming the door in your own face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimora-lee-simmons/if-you-re-shy-get-the-hell-over-it-you-re-slamming-the-door-in-your/) [Kimora Lee Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimora-lee-simmons/) > [“He shut the door behind him and set about locking many dead bolts before finally sliding the chain across. "Tough neighborhood ?" I asked.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/he-shut-the-door-behind-him-and-set-about-locking-many-dead-bolts/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [ “How are you, Rory?' \[the Doctor\] asked. I \[Rory\]... answered him. 'It's been odd being you.' 'Isn't it?' The Doctor's smile didn't quite reach… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-goss/how-are-you-rory-the-doctor-asked-i-rory-answered-him-it-s-been-odd/) [James Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-goss/) ## More by Catherine Marshall > [“I soon saw, however, that Creed's obsession with death was typical of most of the children. This came out in their play. "Let's play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/i-soon-saw-however-that-creed-s-obsession-with-death-was-typical-of/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [“Living in the middle of beauty like this, we've no call to have puny ideas about God. Why do you suppose His world is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/living-in-the-middle-of-beauty-like-this-we-ve-no-call-to-have-puny/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [I believe the old cliché, 'God helps those who help themselves,' is not only misleading but often dead wrong. My most spectacular answers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/i-believe-the-old-clich-god-helps-those-who-help-themselves-is-not/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [The unfolding of our friendship with the Father will be a never-ending revelation strretching on into eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/the-unfolding-of-our-friendship-with-the-father-will-be-a-never/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [The house, it's already been a-settin' here for a hundred years. It'll be right here tomorrow. It's today I must be livin'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/the-house-it-s-already-been-a-settin-here-for-a-hundred-years-it-ll/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [“Evil is real - and powerful. It has to be fought, not explained away, not fled. And God is against evil all the way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/evil-is-real-and-powerful-it-has-to-be-fought-not-explained-away-not/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [Truth could never be wholly contained in words. All of us know it: At the same moment the mouth is speaking one thing, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/truth-could-never-be-wholly-contained-in-words-all-of-us-know-it-at/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [Whence comes this idea that if what we are doing is fun, it can't be God's will? The God who made giraffes, a baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/whence-comes-this-idea-that-if-what-we-are-doing-is-fun-it-can-t-be/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [When the dream in our heart is one that God has planted there, a strange happiness flowers into us. At that moment all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/when-the-dream-in-our-heart-is-one-that-god-has-planted-there-a/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [“Have you ever watched a baby learning to walk? He totters, arms stretched out to balance himself. He wobbles - and falls, perhaps bumps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/have-you-ever-watched-a-baby-learning-to-walk-he-totters-arms/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [“Truth could never be wholly contained in words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/truth-could-never-be-wholly-contained-in-words/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [I learned that true forgiveness includes total self-acceptance. And out of acceptance wounds are healed and happiness is possible again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/i-learned-that-true-forgiveness-includes-total-self-acceptance-and/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [Of course you'll encounter trouble. But behold a God of power who can take any evil and turn it into a door of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/of-course-you-ll-encounter-trouble-but-behold-a-god-of-power-who-can/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [A Christian has no business being satisfied with mediocrity. He's supposed to reach for the stars. Why not? He's not on his own anymore.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/a-christian-has-no-business-being-satisfied-with-mediocrity-he-s/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [... where there was hunger there would also be bread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/where-there-was-hunger-there-would-also-be-bread/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) [Explore all 58 Catherine Marshall quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) ## More Adversity quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/) [Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/) > [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/) [Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/) > [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/) James Buckham Kennedy > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/) S.E. SEVER > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 5,001 Adversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Often God has to shut a door in our face, so that He can subsequently open the door through which He wants us to go.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Catherine Marshall" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face-so-that-he-can-subsequently/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adversity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face-so-that-he-can-subsequently/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/catherine-marshall-11762_adversity_often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face_397570.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/catherine-marshall-11762_adversity_often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face_397570.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/catherine-marshall-11762_adversity_often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face_397570.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Often God has to shut a door in our face, so that He can subsequently open the door through which He wants…” — Catherine Marshall", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Catherine Marshall", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Often God has to shut a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face-so-that-he-can-subsequently/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/often-god-has-to-shut-a-door-in-our-face-so-that-he-can-subsequently/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```