How do we know when God is closing a door and opening a window, as opposed to testing our patience to persevere through a particular situation?

There have been so many times in my life that we have been faced with a situation where it feels like we are backed in a corner. I always trust God and know that He is there with me at all times. My dilemma always seems to be knowing what God's Will for my life is. I don't necessarily think that every thing in our life needs to be placed down to what God wants us to do or not. A friend said one time, God doesn't really care if you choose a hamburger or chicken sandwich. He doesn't micromanage our lives. But I do believe when we are having difficulty there has to be meaning or at least something to be learned from it. My question is, how do you determine if your are at a place where you have to make a major change or is your patience just being tested? Or does it not have anything to do with God and His desires for me and my life at all?