WISDOM'S JOURNEY: Do you have deferred hopes? Proverbs 13:12

Do you have deferred hopes?


 TODAY'S PROVERB: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

Are there passages that are painful for you to read? I have a few. This is one of them.

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 GOD has left unfulfilled.

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 remain there.

When my heart takes a detour, it's generally caused by some "construction" in my life. Those things that remind me that my heart hope is still unfulfilled. I just have to be especially vigilant to not get lost, and then find my way back to the faith and wisdom path to the LORD.

One of the ways I do this is to focus on GOD's truths. Verses that re-direct me to 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 of my passages of hope:

"Looking at them, Yeshua said, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God!'” Mark 10:27

"Fulfilled Your word to Your servant, which leads to reverence for You." Psalm 119:38

"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

"And the shalom of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua." Philippians 4:7

"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

"Chazak [Be strong!]! Let your heart take courage, all you who wait for ADONAI." Psalm 31:25(24)

"Never snatch out of my mouth a word of truth, for I hope in your judgments." Psalm 119:42

"When my troubling thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations comfort my soul." Psalm 94:19

There are so many passages of hope, verses that shift my focus from waiting for an outcome to trusting in my Heavenly Father come what may. Helping me remember all He has done for me, beginning with His Son's suffering atonement for me (1 Peter 1:3).

While I would love to see my heart hope fulfilled in my lifetime (Psalm 27:13), like Abraham and the fathers and mothers of Scriptures, not all lived to see some promises fulfilled (Hebrews 11:13). And, I have to be okay with that. Once I arrive at that understanding, yet again, I've exited the detour and returned to the path.

Do you have heart hopes unfilled? Have they been deferred? How do you return from the detour of heart sickness? Just know that we don't have to remain there. When the "sickness" surfaces we don't have to be afraid of the pain, it's a reminder to pray and trust and remember who is LORD. And most of all, He loves us.

May we pray and trust and remember the goodness of GOD, my friends.

Proverbs 13:12, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs

[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

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