When Things Get Worse Before They Get Better

“Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”

Exodus‬ ‭5‬:‭23‬ (NIVUK‬‬)

Moses had obeyed God. He had done exactly what the Lord told him to do—confront Pharaoh, demand freedom for Israel, declare God’s word. But instead of breakthrough, things got worse. Pharaoh’s heart hardened, the Israelites suffered even more, and Moses cried out, “You have not rescued your people at all!”

Have you ever felt like that? You stepped out in obedience, full of faith, only for everything to unravel? You dared to believe, but all you see is delay, difficulty, and disappointment. Moses’ cry is our cry too: “You’re not doing what You said!”

But here’s the truth—God was doing what He said. He just wasn’t doing it how or when Moses expected. The exodus was coming, but first came confrontation. The miracles were coming, but first came misery. Sometimes things get worse before they get better, not because God has failed, but because He’s preparing the stage for something far greater.

I’ve lived this lesson. Our church waited ten years for a venue. We tried to build or buy seven different buildings—every single one failed. For a decade we prayed, dreamed, wept, and waited. I often moaned to God, “You’re not doing what You said!”

In 2017, during one of those frustrating seasons, I asked the Lord again, “Where is this building?” God spoke clearly: “It’s flat-packed in heaven.” Honestly, that frustrated me even more! What did that even mean? It felt vague, distant, and unhelpful.

Fast forward to June 2023. Out of nowhere, an extraordinary miracle unfolded. Instead of a large warehouse church, God provided us with a four-acre adventure park—a place full of fun, food, and friendship. It wasn’t our blueprint, but it was His.

Then came the stunning revelation. I visited the factory where our giant event dome had been constructed—and discovered that, back in 2017, the dome had literally been flat-packed in that very building! Even more astonishing, the city where the factory was located means “a high place.” It truly had been flat-packed in a high place!

God knew what He was doing all along. While we were stressing, He was setting things in motion. Conversations were happening behind our backs. Materials were being made ready. He was preparing a miracle that far exceeded our plans.

So if you’re in the middle of your “Exodus 5” moment—when obedience seems to have made things worse—don’t give up. Keep walking. Keep trusting. God’s timing isn’t off, it’s perfect. He’s not late; He’s laying foundations. What looks delayed is simply flat-packed in heaven, waiting for the right time to unfold on earth.

Today, I choose to trust God’s timing fully. His Word says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and that includes my life, my journey, and my waiting. I declare that impatience will not rule my heart. Instead, I will “be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). I refuse to rush ahead or lag behind—God’s pace is my peace.

I believe that the Lord is working even when I cannot see it. “Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3). His promises are sure, and His timing is intentional.

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