When the Doors Stay Closed
We love to talk about harvest seasons.
We post about breakthroughs, wins, open doors, and “suddenly” moments.
And that’s beautiful but what about the no seasons?
What about the moments where, no matter how much faith you have, how many applications you submit, how hard you pray, or how qualified you are… the answer keeps being “No or Not right now”?
That’s the season I’ve been walking through.
And if you’re there too, I see you.
You Are Not Alone in This Season
Maybe you’ve applied for grants, jobs, opportunities.
Maybe you’ve pitched ideas, asked for help, knocked on doors and they stayed closed.
Maybe you’re wondering if something’s wrong with you.
Let me speak this truth over you:
A “NO” is not a rejection of your worth.
It’s not a verdict on your value.
It’s simply a moment in time.
It’s a part of the process.
It’s a season, not a sentence.
My Story: When Every Answer Was No
Recently, I found myself in a wave of NO’s.
I was applying for things that felt aligned, things I knew I was qualified for.
But the emails kept coming: “We’ve decided to move forward with other applicants.”
And after a while, the rejections didn’t just hit my inbox, they started to hit my heart.
I began to question if I was off-track.
I felt stuck.
But in my quiet time, I realized something:
Nobody teaches us how to sit in the season of NO.
We preach about harvests but we don’t always talk about what it means to be pruned.
Why This Truth Matters: The Hidden Purpose of No
Here’s the truth:
A season of rejection is often a season of refinement.
It’s where your character grows.
Where your perseverance is tested.
Where your patience is developed.
Where your vision is purified.
If everything came easy, you’d never be stretched.
If every yes came fast, you’d never build endurance.
This season is growing something in you that the next season will require.
Naming the Trap: Don’t Let the No Define You
The biggest trap in a season of no is the lie of unworthiness.
You’ll start to believe:
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“Maybe I’m not enough.”
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“Maybe I missed my shot.”
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“Maybe God doesn’t see me.”
But hear me clearly:
You are not behind. You are being built.
You are not forgotten. You are being formed.
You are not failing. You are being fortified.
Your identity is not rooted in how many people say yes to you, It’s rooted in the One who already did.
What to Do When You're in a No Season
Here are a few truths and practical steps to guide you:
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Don’t take it personally.
Sometimes the “no” is about timing, budgets, systems, or things that have nothing to do with you. -
Keep showing up.
Rejection doesn't mean to stop. It means redirection. Keep moving, keep creating, keep trying. -
Sow anyway.
Even when the ground looks dry, plant seeds. Seeds of kindness, integrity, prayer, and persistence. -
Take care of your mental health.
Rejection fatigue is real. Talk to a friend or therapist, journal your feelings, and give yourself space to grieve the “no.” -
Protect your perspective.
Don’t let a temporary delay become a permanent mindset. The door that closed wasn’t the only one.
A Visual Reminder: The Seed Still Grows in the Dark
Think about a seed.
Before it ever breaks ground, it spends a whole season buried.
In the dark.Unseen. Uncelebrated.
But it’s still growing. Still developing roots. Still preparing for the breakthrough.
Just because it looks quiet doesn’t mean it’s unproductive.
Encouragement for Today: This Season is Not Wasted
You are allowed to feel discouraged but don’t stay there.
This season is sacred. This season is stretching you.
This season is proof that you’re still in the game.
The yes is coming but the NO is still necessary.
You’re being shaped.
You’re being strengthened.
You’re being set apart.
Hold on.
Keep the Faith Through the No’s
You don’t need 100 yeses to be valuable.
You just need to keep showing up in the face of no, with grace, with grit, and with care!
So if you’re in a no season, this is your reminder:
You are still in purpose
You are still called
You are still becoming
And when the yes does come, it won’t be because you forced it.
It’ll be because you were faithful through it.
Your “YES” is closer than you think.
Keep The Faith! 💚👑
