Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick,
    but a sudden good break can turn life around.”
–Proverbs 13:12 (MSG)

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

The Pain of Unanswered Prayers

Tori sat in front of me, broken by years and years and years of unanswered prayers.

“I prayed and believed God to bring me a husband,” she cried. “He never did.”

Tenderly, I offered Proverbs 13:12. I began reading, “Hope deferred makes…”

She finished, “The heart sick. I’m well aware of that scripture.”

“Well, let’s keep reading the rest of this passage,” I said.

“There’s more?” she said.

“Yes. It’s part B of this scripture that it most important to me. Have you not heard it?” I asked.

“Noooo…had no idea it has an ending,” she smiled.

“OH! Just listen….a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Listen to it in the Message, ‘Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.”

Tori sat quiet. Wonder filled her eyes.

“I never knew there was more,” she whispered. “Never knew.”

Timing is of the Essence

Tori and I talked for quite some time. I took a moment to quickly look up a few key words in Proverbs 13:12. Here’s what I found:

Longing defined, “A yearning desire; strong, persistent desire or craving, esp. for something unattainable or distant.”

Desire defined, “A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.”

Most importantly, though, is the word deferred (KJV), Hebrew root, mashak, to draw (and lift out), drag along, lead along, drag or lead off, draw down.

Drag along. Lead along. Draw down.

Just saying these words infers a long, drawn out time frame.

If You’re Waiting, Please Hold On 

Maybe you relate to Tori’s angst.

Maybe, like Tori, you’ve held a yearning desire deep in your heart. For years. Your prayers seem to bounce right back off the ceiling of your war room (prayer closet).

There is a Tree of Life Growing, I Promise.

“Tori,” I said. “I don’t think it’s an accident that you’ve never heard the second part of this scripture. I believe wholeheartedly that timing is of the essence in God’s kingdom. Get ready. I have a strong ‘spiritual inkling’ that your tree of life is almost full grown. Your longing is about to be fulfilled and it is going to be so very, very beautiful. Generations will come and sit underneath your tree of life.”

My dear friend, I believe the same for you today. There is a tree of life in your future. It might “be a long, drawn out, deferred” process, but it will be well worth your wait. Generations will come sit and enjoy the abundant life promised in John 10:10—all because you didn’t give up.

Wait with Your Whole Heart

Stand still” – keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.” 

If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people
– Charles Spurgeon