We all know the experience of planning, and preparing for something significant coming up in our lives, only to be delayed and disappointed. I had an experience like this recently, related to a significant journey I was going on, along with some others, to serve the Lord and do His work. We made plans, prepared everything that was necessary to prepare, and then due to some things completely out of our control, we were not able to move forward with it. Something similar happens to all of us from time to time.

From a human perspective, disappointment is normal, and even expected. The key is in how we respond to it. Sometimes roadblocks are a result of the work of our spiritual enemy, and other times the roadblocks are directly from the hand of God for our good. The difficult part is, sometimes we do not know which one it is.

What are we to do, and how should we respond?  We can either be negative about the circumstances, or we can look to the Lord and find our delight in Him. Finding our delight in the Lord is ALWAYS the right response, even when we do not fully understand the reasons.

Psalm 27:13-14 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Psalm 37:34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. 

Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all those who wait for Him. 

I am reminded of some things the Apostle Paul experienced on his journeys in seeking to evangelize the Gentiles. Acts 16 indicates they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas. It was there that Paul received the vision of the Macedonian call.

I see in Paul’s experience, a remarkable resiliency to do the work of God and keep moving forward. The Scripture indicates they kept moving forward toward the open doors God provided for them. Our attitude must be the same. While we were delayed in where we intended to go, and disappointed about it, God reminded me His work continues on. It is ultimately up to Him where we go and how we get there.

When you are delayed, and disappointed, find your delight in God!