You want it so much. You desire it so much. Others have it. Why can’t you? You aren’t asking for much, are you? You just want what so many other people have. They take it for granted! You don’t! You treasure it! It is priceless! It is precious to you!
But it is not yours. No matter how much you pray for it, you can’t have it. No matter how much you work for it, you can’t achieve it. No matter how much you value it, you can’t take it home and make it be yours.
It makes your heart sick! I mean sick. Discouragement. Despair. Absence of any joy. Nothing gives you pleasure. Nothing gives you joy. A friend trying to get your mind off your pain can put a smile on your face only as long as they sustain the effort. As soon as they depart, the gloom washes quickly back into your soul.
Some call it depression. Others call it grief. Still others may call it envy, the green-eyed monster. Whatever it is called, it is your experience now. We understand. Been there, done that.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
The first part of this verse resonates with us. Hope deferred does make the heart sick. The second part is hard to imagine.
What? Should I keep on longing and maybe someday it will be fulfilled? I can’t do it anymore! I can’t! The old reservoir of hope tank is running on fumes!
We need to understand God sees things differently than we do. He teaches. He guides. He even lovingly disciplines. The thing we are hoping for just might not be what is good for us.
Really? Seriously? I can’t have it?
God: No! I know what is better for you!
Ah, come on!!!!! I want it so much!!!!!
God: I know. I know. But I have something better for you!
What is that? What could possibly be better than what I hope for?
God: Me!
What?
Yes, me! I am the God of all creation. I can give you everything you need. I can fulfill your every need. Whatever you desire in the core of your being, I can deliver it better than anything or anyone else. I want you to long for me! I want you to want me. If you long for me, you will be fulfilled! Anything else you think you want will pale in comparison to what I deliver.
The irony is this, if we actually get the thing we hope for so much, it will be disappointing. It satisfies for a moment, but then the thrill is gone. We then search for something else to hope for and the process starts over again.
Or, we can long for God and He will be the tree of life for us!
– Charles Wagner, founder of Gramazin. Gramazin is a place for people to share their stories of hope and overcoming adversity. On gramazin.com you can see someone put into words how you might be feeling, read about someone else’s solutions for their issues which might apply to what you are going through, and energize yourself to keep striving to make a difference in people’s lives.
If you are struggling with depression, no matter the cause, to find out more and get help, check out our free eBook on Depression!
