How to Tell the Difference Between God’s Redirection and the Enemy’s Resistance

When the Door Doesn’t Budge

We’ve all been there…the dream that started with such clear confirmation suddenly slams shut. The contract falls through. The funding dries up. The opportunity you prayed for stops returning your calls. And the thought hits:
“Maybe God’s telling me to stop.”

But what if He isn’t? What if the very resistance you’re feeling is the proof you’re moving in the right direction?

The Tension We Feel

Christians often assume that if it’s God’s plan, it will be smooth. Yet every page of Scripture tells another story.
Moses faced Pharaoh.
Nehemiah faced ridicule.
Mary faced scandal.
Jesus Himself faced a cross.

If ease were confirmation, none of them would have finished their calling.

So how do you know when a closed door is divine redirection and when it’s the enemy’s resistance?

A Conversation With Jesus

Imagine sitting with Jesus over coffee, your heart heavy, confusion thick in the air.

You: “Lord, I thought You opened this door, but now everything’s falling apart. Did I miss You?”

Jesus: “Not every ‘no’ means stop, and not every ‘yes’ means go. Let’s look at your heart first.”

1. “Let’s start with your motive.”

“Why did you begin this journey?
If obedience was your reason, I haven’t changed My mind because it got hard.
The enemy attacks what I’ve anointed; I prune what I’ve planted.
Resistance isn’t rejection, it’s refinement.”

Reflection Prompt:
What originally motivated me to start?
Has fear of failure or fatigue changed that motive?

2. “Look at the fruit.”

“The enemy’s resistance breeds chaos, confusion, and isolation.
My redirection produces peace, not the absence of pressure, but a settled knowing that you are still Mine.
You’ll know by the fruit of the moment; does this situation draw you closer to Me or drive you to withdraw?”

Reflection Prompt:
Right now, is this producing peace or panic in me?
Is my reaction rooted in trust or self-protection?

3. “Pay attention to your fatigue.”

“Sometimes you call it a closed door when it’s simply an empty tank.
Rest isn’t quitting, it’s refueling.
The enemy whispers, ‘You can’t do this.’ I whisper, ‘Come away with Me for a while.’ 
When your body and mind are tired, everything feels like a closed door.”

Reflection Prompt:
Am I spiritually exhausted more than spiritually directed?
Do I need rest before I make a decision?

4. “Check where fear is speaking.”

“Fear builds walls where I only asked for faith.
Discernment listens for My peace; doubt listens to fear’s echo.
If your decision is driven by what might go wrong, it’s not discernment, it’s doubt dressed as wisdom. True discernment isn’t led by fear of loss but by love for Me.”

Reflection Prompt:
What fear keeps repeating itself in my thoughts?
What would I do if I truly believed God was with me?

5. “Remember My character.”

“I’m not confusing. I’m constant.
I don’t play hide-and-seek with My will; I teach you to recognize My voice.
My sheep know it because they stay close enough to hear the whisper.”

Reflection Prompt:
Am I listening to recognize His tone or demanding a full explanation?
What do I already know of God’s character that speaks to this decision?

6. “Sometimes I stay silent on purpose.”

“When you were a child, you needed My every instruction.
Now you’re growing. 
Sometimes I step back to let you practice walking by faith.
Don’t mistake My silence for absence, it’s trust.”

Reflection Prompt:
Could this silence be an invitation to grow in faith instead of panic?
How might God be developing my confidence, not punishing my confusion?

7. “Don’t be afraid to move.”

“When your heart is surrendered, you can’t miss Me.
Even if you step the wrong way, I’ll meet you there. 
I’m not waiting to punish your misstep, I’m walking beside you, ready to redeem it.
Faith isn’t about flawless direction; it’s about consistent dependence.”

Reflection Prompt:

What step of obedience could I take today, trusting He’ll redirect if needed?
How might action reveal clarity that waiting never could?

Truth Table: Testing the Door

Closing Thought

Imagine what would have happened if the heroes of Scripture had stopped when the opposition came.
What if Noah quit because the rain hadn’t started?
What if Moses turned back when Pharaoh said no?
What if Joshua gave up after the sixth lap around Jericho?
What if Jesus decided the cross was too high a price to pay?

When you’re walking through the trees, it’s hard to see the forest,  but God sees the full landscape. Trust Him in the process. Transformation never happens without pressure. The things that feel like they’re breaking you are often the very things God is using to build you.

Our human instinct is to protect ourselves  to stay safe from failure, embarrassment, and the unknown. We crave comfort, but God’s Word repeatedly calls us to risk.

Risk is reliance.
Risk is stepping into the unknown with confidence that He’s already there.
Risk is saying “yes” before you have it all figured out.
Risk is the courage to begin again.

We often don’t receive the breakthrough because we give up too soon. We stop praying for instead of praying through. God invites us into a spiritual battle stance;  persistent, expectant, and unwavering.

You won’t always get it right, and that’s okay. God is not grading your precision; He’s shaping your perseverance. When you find yourself in a season of uncertainty, step back. Reflect on this conversation with Jesus. Seek Him and He will guide your steps.

Do not grow weary. The closed door might not be rejection; it might be resistance and sometimes, that’s your greatest sign that breakthrough is near.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9 (NIV)