Proverbs 13:12 reminds us, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” What does it truly mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick?

Many might say, “Nobody enjoys waiting.” However, such a response places the focus solely on our desires and what we lack. But is this what the proverb intends to convey?

Let us delve into the two crucial words: “deferred” and “fulfilled.” It is essential to ponder, “What are we waiting for or fixated on?” When our hope centers on self-gratification and immediate fulfillment, any delay can evoke feelings of despair. When our expectations are repeatedly postponed, leading to disappointment and disillusionment, the burden of waiting can become almost unbearable, akin to a prolonged illness. This encapsulates the essence of Solomon’s wisdom: “hope deferred makes the heart sick.”

In this context, “deferred” implies a drawn-out process or postponement. Hope deferred can manifest in various forms: unanswered prayers for loved ones, prolonged job dissatisfaction, enduring illness, or a series of personal setbacks. As we yearn for significant outcomes that are continually delayed, the resultant longing can deeply affect our emotional and mental well-being, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and physical ailments. Ultimately, hope deferred can pave the way for despair.

Contrary to hope deferred, Proverbs 13:12 contrasts with “desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Throughout Scripture, the “tree of life” symbolizes God’s abundant provision and expression of His character. Jesus Himself proclaimed, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Choosing to partake in the “Tree of Life” entails aligning with God’s character, bearing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

For Christians, hope transcends mere anticipation of future events; it centers on Jesus Christ. As the Psalmist declared, “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you” (Psalm 39:7). Christian hope finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, grounded in love. When we anchor our hope in Him, we are assured of His unwavering faithfulness. He becomes our steadfast anchor, ensuring that our hope will never disappoint, for His love permeates our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Our expectation is based on the “finished work” of Jesus Christ. Our Christian hope is not an “I hope so,” but is the assured expectation that JESUS will be at work in our Christian lives, today, tomorrow, and forever. And when He is at work in our lives, He will always be expressing His character. Without such “Christian hope” our Christian lives are a messy, even dangerous skating around on what we might perceive to be “thin ice.”

I grew up in Wisconsin, and the winter months offer many unique opportunities to explore and enjoy nature, and at times I would venture out on ice. I would only do so with the confidence that the ice was quite sufficient to allow me to go ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling and even drive my car on a frozen lake. My hope, expectation was that the ice was thick enough to hold me securely. Likewise, as Christians we expect, hope, and trust that Jesus is at work in us, secure in Him, choosing to walk by faith in the hope of His love for us, which affords us the opportunity of experiencing and expressing the fullness of His character, the fruit of His Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23).

Christian hope, in the New Covenant, entails expectation associated with the living Lord Jesus, “who is our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1). It rests on the finished work of Jesus Christ, ensuring a certain reality in Him. Our hope is not tentative but rooted in the assurance that Jesus is actively at work in our lives, today and forever, expressing His character through us.

So, what are we waiting for, hoping in? As we wait, God waits too — waiting to see if our hope is solely in Him, if we trust Him in every aspect of our lives. As Peter exhorts us, our hope is not passive but alive, infused with the certainty of Christ’s resurrection, a reality that transforms our lives.

Hope is not merely a waiting game; it is a profound reality in Christ, offering assurance and certainty amidst life’s uncertainties. Hope is truly, Life As God Intended.