None of us are immune to despair; All of us need hope!
Today, Lord, I will hope in You.
Scripture for today: Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV)
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”
Think of a time in your life when all hope seemed to be lost. It may be a season in your past. Or, that despair may be staring you down this very moment. We all have hoped – expected – desired – believed – for something. But due to the length of time in waiting, the work required for the fulfillment, or loss endured along the way, discouragement set in and all hope was lost. It’s hard to go on when we are in the midst of such experiences. Waking up and facing the next day…even taking the next breath…seems so daunting, so impossible, so pointless. With the wind blown out of our sails, any passion, desire, or ambition to move forward is destroyed.
Proverbs 13:12 says hope that is deferred (blocked, delayed, hindered, obstructed, postponed, set aside, slow, suspended) makes the heart sick (broken down, defective, diseased, feeble, frail, impaired, mean, run down, suffering, unhealthy, weak). When we have no hope, we become defective, weak, mean and impaired. Hope is crucial to our health, our strength, our endurance, and our success. Hope is a tree of life to us. Hope provides the reason and the will to take that next breath – to wake up that next day – to get out of bed and be and do all we have been created to be and do!
I remember a season of defeat in my life. I had lost all hope that I would ever complete or operate in that area ever again. I packed away any achievements and reminders of the specific goal and hid them away in a crate in my basement. If I thought about my failures, I became overwhelmed with sorrow, disgusted with myself, and full of regret. In turn, bitterness, weakness, and torment raided my heart and permeated through every thought, every word, every action. Before too long, I had completely lost sight of the initial goal, and I had forgotten important, significant details that I thought I would cling to my entire life. My hope was lost. My heart was sick. A good friend came alongside of me – dusted off the dirt piled upon my heart, reminded me of who I am, and encouraged me to continue in the destiny God has prepared for me.
You see, God has created each one of us beautifully and wonderfully to accomplish great things in this lifetime. He has destined each one of us to perform and complete good works – for our good and for His glory! God has made the way for all of us to enjoy the works of His hands! God doesn’t cause our sufferings. He gives us life and wants us to enjoy an abundant life! Today, I encourage you to not focus on your despair, loss, failures & regrets. Remember, instead, and think on the benefits God has provided for you! Let Him renew your strength like the eagles. Let Him comfort you and surround you with His peace.
Hope in God, trust Him, desire Him, and live!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 139:13-18; Isaiah 30:21; 1 Timothy 6:17; John 10:10; Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 20
