Walking With Jesus - HopeSample

A DELAYED HOPE

There is a phrase that is believed by many people: “Don't love too much, and do not expect too much because doing so can hurt you terribly.” The above expression is the same as some of the words taken from Proverbs, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”

However, quoting a portion of the verse will make us lose the meaning and the gift of true hope. Today's verse can help us see that hope can produce two results — delay of hope can result in bitterness and disappointment, while the journey of hope can produce a tree of life when that hope is processed and fulfilled! Every hope and dream will produce results, but we must first walk in the procrastination step.

So, when we think about hope, we should not think about the delays and heartaches which are the result of bitterness. Remember that another Scripture promises us that our hope is certain and will not disappoint (Isaiah 49:23). We need to weigh the way we think. Winston Churchill once said, "Pessimists see difficulties at every opportunity. Optimists see opportunities in every difficulty. "We need to look at each opportunity with hope and we need to live in hope that God will help and give the best.

When we start to get cynical about life, we need to ask God to give us new abilities to trust and hope again. We all will face betrayal, the collapse of friendships, or the disappearance of dreams of perfect work. At times like that, we need to revive our hopes. We need to learn to know that He is truly God so that we can be sure that people who hope in Him will never be disappointed. Our knowledge of God must grow even more so will know that He is good and the hope in Him will not disappoint us.

Reflection: 

1. What hopes have disappointed you in the past?

2. What is your opinion about that disappointment today?

Application: When what happens to you is not what you expect, or expected, try to remain calm and believe that God has the best plan. Keep on going in His perfect plan.