When God denies or defers you a privilege that you really really really really want, follow the example of King David. God didn’t give him the bid for GC of the Temple, but David was determined to serve on the construction crew. David spent the rest of his life making sacrifices and preparations so that the temple could be built after he died. Think about that.
David chose to give his best energy and effort toward the completion of a task that he wouldn’t even be around to see.
When God hands you the Sorry Charlie Slip, will you be willing to participate in someone else’s progress even if you don’t get to enjoy the effects of your obedience?
If God won’t let you plant a church, will you jump into ministry at your current church and serve humbly wherever the staff has the greatest need?
If you love kids, but struggle with infertility, will you volunteer in the children’s ministry and love other people’s kids while trusting in God’s good timing to give you your own?
If you want a diamond ring more than anything, but God won’t seem to send you your prince no matter how long and hard you pray or how many different ways you cut your hair, will you devote the extra bandwidth and time you have as a single lady to service, devotion to him, and preparation instead of feeling sorry for yourself and letting jealousy consume you as you cry yourself to sleep every night?
When you participate in the progress of others it takes the focus off your own perceived lack of progress. It replaces the focus on what you want with thankfulness for what you have.