It must have been bitterly disappointing for these two men. To have actually experienced firsthand the incredible fortunes that lay just before them. The possibilities of success were never greater. The rewards of advancement were never clearer. The timing was right to move ahead in boldness and confidence. This was their moment of opportunity.

Joshua and Caleb were sure that the indisputable evidences they produced were all that was needed. The concept of thinking big was literally being fulfilled before their eyes. It should only take a simple and honest report to move the people forward into their God-given destiny. But evidence was not enough.

How painful it must have been for these two men (and any others that sided with them) to see fear, doubt and uncertainty engulf the reasonable argument to move forward. This was a stunning turn of events. The people of promise, who had been delivered from Egyptian bondage, were now unwilling to move forward because of the negative report of those who walked in fear and dissension.

That experience of Joshua and Caleb plays out again and again in the lives of God’s followers. Men of vision and courage are always among us. Men who see that the rewards of faithfulness far outweigh the dangers to be met along the way still exist within our body. Men who give the cry to move forward, reach higher, plan bigger, are still attempting to be heard.

At the same time the voices of fear and retreat are poisoning the air inducing the masses to pull back and to limit their aspirations to the status quo. The giants are undefeatable they whisper. Though evidences of success are right before their eyes, they neutralize its logic and replace it with the lie that it’s better to leave things as they are. This is not the time to be bold and take risks they say. This is not the time to step out and allow God to do a new thing. No, the people will be better where they are is the argument that sways the day.

For those who hoped for a new day there is bitter disappointment. For those who wanted to taste of the land that flows with milk and honey, there is painful dejection. To those who anticipated moving forward there is now confusion in direction. They cry out, “The giants could have been defeated! We were too close to turn back!”

What do you do when you are part of a body that has seemingly refused to move forward? What do you do as a part of a body that appears to hold firmly onto the past when the past is no longer effective? What do you do with the terrorizing realization of opportunities lost and victories forfeited? What do you do with painful disappointment?