A section in my upcoming book deals with Proverbs 13:12, which states: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.  But when desire comes it is a tree of life.” As I studied this verse and researched the topic of hope, I gained new insight into hope and what causes hopelessness. 

Webster defines hope as a state of mind that believes and desires a positive outcome to situations in life.  It is a feeling that things will turn out for the best.  Another definition of hope, called a spiritual definition, is a potent and positive practice with the power to pull you through difficult times.  It is described as “light”, a ray, a beam, a glimmer of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel.  We all have heard and even made statements using these metaphors.

The biblical or Christian definition of hope is “confident expectation.”  Romans8:24-25 (NIV) states, “But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently.”  Hope deals with things we cannot see or have not yet received.  “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see, Hebrews 11:1.  Fatih is for today, while hope is for the future, for tomorrow.  Just as faith upholds us in the here and now, hope sustains us for what is to come, hope sustains us until the fulfilment of our dreams and desires.

Here in lies the issue with the “got to have it now generation”.  Instant gratification has no time to wait, thus depression sinks in, sadness overwhelms us, and suicide replaces hope.   The heart is sick because there is no vision of the future, there is no confidence in what is to come.  Deferred means to put off or drag out to a later time, postpone, or delay.  Time is a key factor in hope deferred.  While waiting we can experience disappointment and hopelessness.  Loss of hope can lead to depression, anxiety, and actual sickness.  People without hope see life as meaningless, with no desire to live.