Lifted Vision Ministry

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

The adjective deferred here means, “withheld or delayed.” If our hope, dreams, ambitions, desires, expectations or aims get delayed or withheld, then our hope-life can be in sincere jeopardy. It’s so easy for us to fall into a state of heart sickness when the things that we aim or hope for become delayed. This is a natural effect of life, and you are not alone; it is stated right here in the Bible and many prophets and kings have felt this same exact way.

If you are waiting on something; whether it be for your health to improve, to be reconciled to your family members, for your dreams to reach actualization, or something else, but it appears that the process is delayed- do not lose hope!

But how is this possible? If our natural response is hope deferred, then our hearts become sick. So how can we avoid this?

I’d like to share a couple of ways to handle hopelessness that I’ve found to be helpful today. For one, reading the Bible, changing your environment, going outside and doing something different can be a great reset. For example, calling a friend, reading a book, enjoying coffee or something that brings you happiness can lift the feeling momentarily. But how about long term solutions?

If hopelessness persists, it is not advisable to just ignore our feelings about it. For example, if you cut your hand and it is bleeding, do you do something about it, or just let it be and hope for the best? I’d hope our reaction would be to apply first aid; cleanse the wound, apply pressure, and use a bandaid to stop the bleeding. But what if we do nothing? Then the problem will continue and remain unchanged, even until death even perhaps.

I truly believe that we should deal with our hopelessness when we realize it because hopelessness is the silent killer of productivity. It is also a major killer of creativity. So how do we quench this feeling deep inside our souls? What do we do when our dreams are seemingly on the back burner and we are not seeing what we truly dream for for our lives?

The #1 thing I suggest is to ask God to renew your hope.

-Psalm 34:18 NIV-
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

The Lord is closer to you and your situation than you may ever believe or think. Know as you know, that the Lord of Lords is by your side and has your back at all times!!!

Even David in the Bible lost heart at times. But he was not condemned for it. What was his overall sentiment towards God?

-Psalm 27:13 NIV-
“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.”

David sings a song of hopefulness and joy in the midst of his storms. The effects are profound and make his soul glad. Furthermore, we should live a life, “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:21)

Let’s move forward in faith from our circumstances instead of dwelling on them. Let our hopelessness produce small actions everyday that pull us out of it’s grip; whether talking to God, putting on worship music, or changing things up completely. God responds to a faithful heart and a heart of joy.

When I am struggling the most I remind myself of these two verses:

-Psalm 34:19 NIV-
“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all”

-Proverbs 24:16 NIV-
“for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again“

Never give up. Never lose hope. Never back down. God has you right where you are supposed to be. God bless you brothers and sisters!