Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12, TLV
Don’t Camp There. Are there passages that are painful for you to read? I have a few. This is one of them. Why? I have several “deferred hopes” — people and situations I’ve prayed for that the answers haven’t arrived. These are not wants or desires, but heart hopes of an eternal nature.
Sometimes, it feels like deep holes in my heart that for whatever reason our loving Heavenly Father has left unfulfilled. I can feel isolated — out there in the dark. Do you know what I mean?
So, knowing they are there and not knowing when, or if, they will be fulfilled can get a bit discouraging. And there are times when I am heart sick. But I can’t “camp” there.
A painful detour . . .
When my heart takes a detour, it’s generally caused
by some area in my life that is weak. Those things that remind me that my heart hope is still unfilled. I must be especially vigilant to not get lost and find my way back to the faith and wisdom path.
One of the ways I do this is to focus on GOD’s truths. Verses that re-direct me into His loving arms — reminders of His sovereignty and love. Reminders of His love for those I love. As I come across them, I add them to my journal.
Here are a few passages that are meaningful to me:
- Looking at them, Yeshua said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God!” Mark 10:27, TLV
- Fulfill Your word to Your servant, which leads to reverence for You. Psalm 119:38, TLV
- I am sure of this very thing—that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the Day of Messiah Yeshua. Philippians 1:6, TLV
- And the shalom [peace] of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua. Philippians 4:7, TLV
- Do not be lagging in zeal; be fervent in spirit. Keep serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, enduring in distress, persisting in prayer, contributing to the needs of the kedoshim [saints], extending hospitality. Romans 12:11-13, TLV
- Chazak [Be strong]! Let your heart take courage, all you who wait for ADONAI [the LORD]. Psalm 31:25(24), TLV
- Never snatch out of my mouth a word of truth, for I hope in Your judgments. Psalm 119:42, TLV
- When my troubling thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations comfort my soul. Psalm 94:19
So Many More . . .
There are so many passages of hope — verses that shift my focus from waiting for an outcome to trust in my Father, come what may. Helping me remember what He has already done for me — beginning with His Son’s suffering atonement for me (1 Peter 1:3).
While I would love to see my heart hopes fulfilled in my lifetime (Psalm 27:13), like Abraham and the fathers and mothers of Scriptures, not all lived to see all the promises fulfilled (Hebrews 11:13). And I need to be okay with that. Once I return to that understanding — yet again — I’ve exited the detour and am back on the right path.
Have all your heart hopes been fulfilled? Or are some still
deferred? Just know we don’t have to take the detour of discouragement, and camp alone in the darkness. When trials and tribulations bring us down, we don’t have to be afraid of the pain or doubt the love of our Father. Because He gives us plenty of reminders of that love, we just need to pay attention.
Think More About It
Have you ever been discouraged from a hope deferred? How do you return from the detour of “heart sickness?”
Thanks for stopping by. This is an important topic, especially at this time of unrest and frightening events. I hope this was helpful.
