Hope Deferred

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.



The word "hope" means to want something to happen.
The word "deferred " means to postpone.
The term "heart sick" means to be depressed.




So basically, "Wanting something to happen that is being postponed will make you depressed."

How true that is!  Our family is at a time where we are heart sick.   Our dreams are on hold.  We still have faith (definition: complete trust) that our dreams will be fulfilled in time but in the mean time we find ourselves depressed.



I always thought it was interesting that it is worded as "Hope deferred".  It's not "hope denied", or "Changed hope".   It simply means when our hope is postponed, delayed, yet to come, that we become depressed, sorrowful and sad.  Right now, I find solace in finding proof in the Bible that its OK for us to feel like we do right now.  It doesn't mean we are weak in faith to not be "joyful in trials of many kinds" through every minute of our circumstances.  We certainly have had our moments where our joy transcends all circumstances and we do have a peace within us but at the same time we are heart sick and that is OK.



I find tremendous hope in the second part of this verse!  "But a dream fulfilled is a tree of life"

The word "dream" means to contemplate the possibility of doing something.
The word "fulfilled" means to "be happy in developing one's abilities or character fully.
The term "tree of life" means "a source of eternal life and blessings"



So basically, "When the possibility of doing something is finally developed into reality it's an incredible blessing!"



Right now my Hope holds on to the possibility of something finally developing into a reality and being such a blessing to our family!    I am looking forward to the day that our present situation moves into the realm of the past and our future is finally our present!  But until then, I'll continue teetering on the line of being joyful in affliction and being heart sick without feeling like I must be weak in faith to feel both sides of it! I'll continue to wait for the fulfilled dream and seek God's guidance through this unknown time and hold onto this as well,  Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."