What Does Deferred Hope Mean in the Bible?

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 NIV

The season of waiting is akin to being stuck in a spiritual desert – a state of utter desolation.

Just like the barren desert that is desiccated, burnt, and scorched – the season of waiting in the life of a believer can feel like living a life bereft of God’s presence and blessings.

As humans, we are averse to the idea of waiting. Even more so when we wait for God to make His presence felt or give us a respite from all our afflictions.

True enough, it is during the waiting seasons of life that our faith is put to the test. Some will persevere and remain faithful, but others succumb to despair.

Thus, when hope is deferred, the heart is shattered.

The word “deferred” means to postpone, delay, or put on hold. Thus, the adage, “hope deferred makes the heart sick,” only means that God’s answers to our prayers are sometimes withheld. As a result, hope is deferred due to unfulfilled desires of one’s heart.

Unfulfilled dreams can make some people lose hope, leading them into the abyss of utter despair.

As it’s written, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.” -Ezekiel 37:11 NIV

In contrast, the succeeding phrase, “but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life,” reveals that fulfilled hopes and dreams give life to our Spirit, filling our hearts with joy and gratitude for having our ardent wishes granted.

 Simply put, hopelessness drains the life within us, while fulfilled hopes breathe life into our being.

Nonetheless, it’s good to keep in mind that God always has a good reason for His silence or for withholding His blessings. Sometimes, He may want to work on our character so that we can be a good steward of His gifts. Whatever the reason may be, we can put our minds at ease by acknowledging this unassailable truth: Regardless of what happens, our God always has our best interest at heart.

Waiting for God’s answer over a prolonged period while being encumbered by life’s agonizing trials is no easy feat. Hence, some Christians abandon the faith out of sheer discouragement.

Didn’t the Jews opt to make a god for themselves out of desperation during their time in the wilderness? They made a statue of a golden calf, replacing Yahweh as their God.

They grew restless and hopeless as Moses took too long to come back down the mountain. Thus, instead of patiently waiting for his return, the Israelites sinned against God by committing idolatry– the worship of false gods, a sin God vehemently condemns.

Nonetheless, we must be reminded that we can also commit idolatry when we fully rely on ourselves instead of God. In essence, we are making a god of ourselves when we choose to rely on our wisdom instead of banking on God’s guidance and promises.

This is all the more evident when our prayers remain unheeded. Such pervasive feelings of hopelessness can permeate our thoughts, prompting us to take matters into our own hands.

As God’s children, the Holy Spirit dwells in us and endows us with the peace and joy that comes from knowing God. However, when feelings of hopelessness

 pervade our minds— doubts, unbelief, and resentment towards God can take root in our hearts.

Thus, we become more susceptible to negativity, predisposed to yielding to the cunning schemes of the enemy. Let us be reminded that a man of weak faith can easily feel overwhelmed when beset with afflictions, weakened to withstand and dodge the flaming darts of the wicked one.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

While deferred hope can plunge some into the pits of darkness and desperation, others choose to rise to the occasion. They remain faithful to God despite being subjected to formidable adversities.

God’s faithful servants of times past were no stranger to life’s fiery trials, many of them experienced an acute sense of hopelessness as they hurdled life’s menacing storms.

Nonetheless, in the end, they chose to trust in God and patiently waited for Him to answer their prayers.

As humans, we often equate God’s love based on the abundance of blessings we receive, not the afflictions God sends our way to refine our character.

We at times forget that God’s primary purpose for our lives is not material riches but the inner transformation of the soul. Life’s trials and unanswered prayers are God’s way of shaping our character, enabling us to become the people God envisions us to be.

Thus, for a Christian, even life’s adversity has its worth. There’s always a blessing concealed amid our sorrows and afflictions.

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” — Proverbs 3:11-12 NKJV

 By recognizing this truth, we will not be dampened by life’s faintest discomfort or crippling setbacks.

If our unheeded prayers are making us fall into the trap of despair and hopelessness, we must recall the stories of triumphs of God’s faithful servants. By doing so, we will be reminded that the God we serve is faithful– a God who keeps His promises.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” — Hebrews 10:23 NIV

Consider David. Didn’t God refer to David as a man after His own heart? And yet, David was made to wait 15 long years before he became king of Israel.

Joseph waited years before he got out of prison. And because of his unwavering faith, God blessed him abundantly.

Throughout the Bible, there’s no dearth of faithful servants who went through the wilderness season. Their prayers were left unanswered as the months and years slipped away. Nonetheless, their unflinching faith and hope in God remained unyielding until the end.

Let us not also forget that blessings often come after triumphing over life’s insufferable trials. So, do not be discouraged when things seem bleak.

As it’s written: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5 NIV

Reading this verse, I can’t help but recall the gripping story of Job. After having endured searing tribulations, Job’s pleas for help were answered.

And then we have Abraham. Didn’t God bless Abraham after he passed God’s test? Despite the agonizing pain of having to sacrifice his son, Isaac, he relented and chose to obey God.

“Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says he LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.” — Genesis 22:15-17 NKJV

“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Hopelessness is a sign of unbelief, an utter lack of faith in God.

Hence, God is pleased when we choose hope over despair, to continue in trusting Him and patiently wait for Him despite going through a myriad of life’s excruciating torment.

So, when hopelessness sets in, and your faith begins to crumble, stay rooted in prayer and worship. Remember that the enemy is known to take advantage of every situation.

He will provoke you to harbor resentment towards God to snatch you away from God’s protective Hand. Thus, we must be cognizant of the devious ways the enemy infiltrates our hearts and minds.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”– 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

And if we allow the enemy to lure us away from God, or an acute sense of hopelessness is allowed to persist unabated, it can wreak havoc on all facets of our lives.

Thus, whenever we feel that God seems indifferent to our prayers, let us remind ourselves of the enduring faithfulness of God. Let us remember who God really is and who we are in Christ. If God gave us His only Son to redeem us from the pits of hell, He will surely not deprive us of the good things we long for.

 And for those traversing many dark valleys, sinking slowly into the abyss of misery and deferred hopes, may the following verses ease your wearied mind.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save . . . He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 KJV