John Adrain Shepherd-Barron went to the bank to withdraw some money to buy gifts for his wife to celebrate her birthday. The Teller counter was closed as he was late. In the bank premises, he saw a machine that dispensed chocolate when a coin was inserted. He could get a few for his wife. Nevertheless, there he got an insight. Why not an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) that could dispense cash anytime? He invented the ATM, and it was installed in Barclays Bank, in Greater London, in 1967, which was operated with cheques impregnated with Carbon-14 radioactive chemicals. God allows disappointments for people to discover new ways.
David’s sling: David was disappointed with the response of Saul and the army of Israel to the challenge given by Goliath. All of them seemed clueless. When David volunteered to fight, Saul tried to persuade him to use traditional weapons of war. However, David refused all the weapons. With insight from God, he used his sling and a few stones, with which he was comfortable, and repurposed them as a weapon of war and achieved victory. Amid disappointment, there was a light. (I Samuel 17: 41-52)
Gideon’s strategy: He was also disappointed that he had to conceal his crops from the marauding enemies, who stole the harvest. “If God is with us, why then has all happened to us?” (Judges 6:13). His question was answered by God, who commissioned Gideon to fight against the Midianites. The war strategy he used was an insight from God.
Resurrection of Lazarus: Mary and Martha were disappointed that the Lord was not there when Lazarus was sick. Now he is dead, and in the grave for three days. They could not perceive any hope. The Lord revealed Himself by raising Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:38-44)
Four friends: The four friends who carried the paralysed man to Jesus were disappointed that they could not take him in front of the Lord due to the crowd. Nevertheless, they created a way through the roof, lowered him before the Lord, and he was healed. (Luke 5:17-26)
Do I receive insights when disappointed?