Ever feel disappointed? I had three significant disappointments all within a short period of time. Things didn’t work out the way I had hoped. It was a real set back and I was somewhat caught off guard and surprised at the overwhelming emotions of disappointment.
“12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV)
Reading my own experience right there on the pages of my Bible gave me great comfort! The very thing I had hoped for did not come. My hope had been deferred; “put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone” and I was most definitely experiencing a sick heart.
I wrote the verse on a slip of paper and carried it in my pocket for days. Every time I felt the disappointment I pulled out the verse to remind myself not to lose hope because when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
We are going to experience disappointments as part of life. We must continually examine our hope to be sure it is in full harmony with God’s Word. Is my hope in a relationship, a person, material things, career, money, status, fame or certain circumstance? When our hope is placed in the Lord Jesus Christ we can be sure He will see it through to the end for our good. Our desire may not come at the time we expect but when that desire is out of the overflow of our delight in the Lord, He shall give us the desires of our heart. (Ps. 37:4) And when that desire comes, it is a tree of life.
What is the desire of your heart and in Whom is your hope placed?
Copyright©2015, Gloria Stucky
Photo: “closeup shot of stressed out lady” by stockimages