Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred is more like a wish with no real basis for truth. It can be unrealistic expectations. We say things like:
- “I hope he will change.”
- “I hope he will treat me with respect.”
- “I hope he will not yell at me the next time he is angry.”
- “I hope this time he is truly sorry.”
- “I hope he will go to counseling as he promised he would.”
When there has been no evidence of change, the word “hope” needs to be replaced by “wish.” If we keep using the word, “hope” as the cycle of abuse continues, we soon become hopeless because nothing has changed in the relationship. We are hanging on to false hope.
False hope consists of ….
- Letting our neediness and desires run our life so we can maintain control
- Idealizing one’s situation to formulate hope when in reality it is only wishing things would change
- Spiritualizing (suffering for Jesus) while forgetting all reality and then blaming God when life doesn’t work
- Letting the honeymoon period overshadow the explosive events
- Getting caught up in the dream of “what should be” or “what could be”
As we move into the reality of our circumstance, we can identify realistic hope which can exist during the raging storms of our lives.
Realistic Hope . . .
- Consists of fulfilled expectations
- Endures present difficulties for a future good
- Makes one grow and mature
- Allows God to work instead of playing God by controlling one’s situation
- Changes one’s focus from self and the relationship to God, the author of hope
Storms in life will come and go. Some are more severe than others. How do we find hope in the midst of the storm when the darkness of uncertainty and fear reign in our hearts and when our life boat is being tossed to and fro? We begin by looking for safety in a peaceful harbor.
In the darkness, our eyes look for the light beaming from the lighthouse on the shore. We focus on the light, Jesus Christ, who points the way as he calls out to us and offers eternal hope in the shelter of his arms.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him, I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him.; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16
The foundation of our hope is Jesus Christ, Emanuel (God with us). He has proven to be faithful. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
In the book, Irrepressible Hope Devotional, Marilyn Meberg states, “the presence of hope opens the portals to happiness and peace. Our hope is authored in God.”
Where is your hope?
