Revelations 3 says that whatever God opens no man can shut, and whatever God shuts no man can open. Reading this verse, the obvious inference is that any opportunity God provides can be stopped by any obstacle. This is completely true, but I think this goes deeper than what we realize.

When Jesus taught on receiving answers to our prayers, he taught that we receive when we ask, seek, and knock in accordance with his will. He also teaches that when we ask in His name, we will receive anything we ask. I believe God unlocks something inside our hearts prior to unlocking anything external.

This internal unlocking is our guide to what we pray for and seek after. Think of it as a light bulb going off in your mind. It’s nothing you can control, but when it happens, you will know what you need to pursue.

I do believe that having faith in what God is telling you is key to unlocking the doors to opportunities. Without faith it is impossible to please God because God desires for us to have complete trust in Him. Believing comes before receiving.

The other aspect of this is contentment and faithfulness with what God has given us. If God sees that we are faithful and content with managing what he has given us to steward, only then will he bless us with more. If we are not, then we can expect to receive nothing.

I pray this helps someone.

-Phil