Hope Deferred

The blogger at His Hands His Feet got an encouraging email today and she shared it on her blog. I've had a horrible day. It started last night after church. Church was great, but when we got home this uneasiness settled upon me. I was glad it was bedtime. This morning was not a lot better. Nothing really out of the ordinary bad, but it was one of those times where if there was a button that I thought I had ripped off and could no longer be pushed, it seemed the buttons were hanging by a thread, and were getting pushed. That uneasiness of being in my own skin, and it's not PMS. So I have no idea what has been going on today but ... something is going on. I got some valuable info concerning something that is really heavy on my heart, all I can think is that Satan is wanting to rattle my chain to get my eye off the ball. Pray for me, will ya?

However, this letter was such a blessing, and just the word I needed:

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

My dear child, do not be afraid to put your hope in Me, for I am good and I am kind and I take care of My own dear children.

Many of My own have been hurt or disappointed over and over again--until they reached a place where they became afraid to hope, for fear that they will be disappointed. This happens in the world, for the ruler of this world seeks to crush the life and hope out of people; that he might fill their hearts with despair. But that is not My way and I am not like that. In fact, I am calling My own out of that place of fear and despair, so that they may enter into My place of peace and joy.

Dear one, you are no longer of this world, you are adopted into My own family.[a] I have rescued you from the ruler of this world, and I have planted My seed of hope in your heart. Do not be afraid to let that seed grow and mature, so that you might be able to abide that place of endless joy and peace that I have prepared for you. It is My desire that you have a peace that passes all understanding[b], and that your joy might indeed be full[c] and overflowing.

I assure you that you will not be disappointed as you look to Me andtrust in Me. I am faithful, and I keep My promises. So open up yourheart, dear one, and dare to believe Me in all that I have promisedto you. Remind yourself daily of My nature and My character, for I amgood, and those who come to Me will receive good things from My hand.I am truth and I cannot lie to you. I am faithful and I will notabandon you or forget a single one of My promises to you. I am theGod of all power, and I able to work My good on your behalf.

Yes, dear one, I am both willing and able to take care of you. I have many good gifts for you, and I have given you a hope and a future.So do not be afraid to trust in Me. Dear one, open your heart and allow the hope of your salvation[d] and the hope of your calling[e]to fill your hearts. Simply dare to believe what I am telling you,and these things will begin to overflow you until it pours out from you to those around you. For it is My plan and My desire to fill you with all peace and joy, so that you might abound in My hope and be filled with the power of My indwelling Holy Spirit.[f]

a - John 15:19 "You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
b - Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."c - John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
d - 1 Thessalonians 5:8 "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."
e - Ephesians 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..."
f - Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."