Walk Through the Other Door

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Walk Through the Other Door
Perhaps you've read Dr. A.J. Cronin's novel, Hatter's Castle? But I wonder if you know the story behind how he became a writer? Well, when he was a doctor in London, on the verge of his greatest success, his health broke. He was told to take a year's rest and that he might never again be fit to stand the wear and tear of the medical profession. What a blow! He loved his work. From a small and humble beginning he had achieved his life's objective, and now it must be abandoned. The door to a medical career was slammed in his face. He voiced bitterness and resentment to all of his friends. Life had turned sour. Then, while in exile in the West Highlands, time hung heavy on his hands. Hours felt like years; the door to success had been shut. Suddenly one day an impulse came to him to write, and he began the novel Hatter's Castle. When it was finished, it was parcelled up and sent to the publisher. To his glad surprise, it was accepted. Out of all reason, another door had opened to him. In fact, a whole new career of writing lay before him as he walked through "the other door." As I reflect on what happened to Dr. Cronin, I think it would be true to say that many of us, when meeting with sudden disappointment, misfortune, or defeat, raise a cry of anger and resentment against God and life. When we miss a change of promotion or when we are deprived of good health, it is hard to understand. Sometimes we cry, "Why did this happened to me?" or "Why did God allow this to come into my life?" However my friend, as strange as it might seem, disappointments and trouble are often the instruments with which we are fashioned for better and bigger things to come. You must never give up, because life never takes away from us without giving something better in its place. In reality, life is no straight and easy corridor; the road is not always smooth and unhampered. Many times our paths are like a maze of passages through which we must seek, search, and find out way. Sometimes we find our way and then are confused-now a clear light to go, then we are checked by a red light to stop. At one time we find ourselves on a freeway and then again in a blind alley. But always-if we have faith-God will open another door. Perhaps it is not the door we thought was the best, but another door that He knows is the best. One that takes us to a greater and more useful destination. I know this to be true; because out of my deepest hurts have come my greatest strength. Robert Louis Stevenson said it well: "Give us the strength to encounter that which is to come, that we may be brave in peril, constant in tribulation, patient in all changes of life, and down to the gates of death loyal and loving to one another." Therefore, my friend, if the door you hoped for has closed, try the other one-it just could be the pathway that could lead to the greatest fulfillment of your dreams. In essence, as someone once wrote: "All life is making choices and choices make destiny. I become what I choose. The law of choice is the same as the law of faith. What I take takes me." My friend, are you one who easily embraces hope, or have fear and worry duped you into believing that hope will only lead to disappointment. When life crashes around you and everything you have wanted most seems to be dissolving, does your hope and faith in God keep you going? Or are you paralysed by fear and afraid to walk through other doors? If so, I invite you to write for a small booklet titled: "Faith: Is it reasonable?" Faith! It's tremendously important and the message in this booklet will help you develop a strong faith…and the courage to live by that faith. To receive your FREE copy of "Faith: Is it reasonable?" Simply write to me at P.O. Box 1540, Albany, WA 6331. Or you can phone/fax your request on: (08) 98 418 418. Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Perhaps you've read Dr. A.J. Cronin's novel, Hatter's Castle? But I wonder if you know the story behind how he became a writer? Well, when he was a doctor in London, on the verge of his greatest success, his health broke. He was told to take a year's rest and that he might never again be fit to stand the wear and tear of the medical profession.

What a blow! He loved his work. From a small and humble beginning he had achieved his life's objective, and now it must be abandoned. The door to a medical career was slammed in his face. He voiced bitterness and resentment to all of his friends. Life had turned sour.

Then, while in exile in the West Highlands, time hung heavy on his hands. Hours felt like years; the door to success had been shut. Suddenly one day an impulse came to him to write, and he began the novel Hatter's Castle. When it was finished, it was parcelled up and sent to the publisher. To his glad surprise, it was accepted. Out of all reason, another door had opened to him. In fact, a whole new career of writing lay before him as he walked through "the other door."

As I reflect on what happened to Dr. Cronin, I think it would be true to say that many of us, when meeting with sudden disappointment, misfortune, or defeat, raise a cry of anger and resentment against God and life. When we miss a change of promotion or when we are deprived of good health, it is hard to understand. Sometimes we cry, "Why did this happened to me?" or "Why did God allow this to come into my life?"

However my friend, as strange as it might seem, disappointments and trouble are often the instruments with which we are fashioned for better and bigger things to come. You must never give up, because life never takes away from us without giving something better in its place. In reality, life is no straight and easy corridor; the road is not always smooth and unhampered. Many times our paths are like a maze of passages through which we must seek, search, and find out way. Sometimes we find our way and then are confused-now a clear light to go, then we are checked by a red light to stop. At one time we find ourselves on a freeway and then again in a blind alley. But always-if we have faith-God will open another door. Perhaps it is not the door we thought was the best, but another door that He knows is the best. One that takes us to a greater and more useful destination. I know this to be true; because out of my deepest hurts have come my greatest strength.

Robert Louis Stevenson said it well: "Give us the strength to encounter that which is to come, that we may be brave in peril, constant in tribulation, patient in all changes of life, and down to the gates of death loyal and loving to one another." Therefore, my friend, if the door you hoped for has closed, try the other one-it just could be the pathway that could lead to the greatest fulfillment of your dreams. In essence, as someone once wrote: "All life is making choices and choices make destiny. I become what I choose. The law of choice is the same as the law of faith. What I take takes me."

My friend, are you one who easily embraces hope, or have fear and worry duped you into believing that hope will only lead to disappointment. When life crashes around you and everything you have wanted most seems to be dissolving, does your hope and faith in God keep you going? Or are you paralysed by fear and afraid to walk through other doors? If so, I invite you to write for a small booklet titled: "Faith: Is it reasonable?" Faith! It's tremendously important and the message in this booklet will help you develop a strong faith…and the courage to live by that faith.
To receive your FREE copy of "Faith: Is it reasonable?" Simply write to me at P.O. Box 1540, Albany, WA 6331. Or you can phone/fax your request on: (08) 98 418 418. Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au