Hope (Proverbs 13:12)

Sometimes hope is the only thing the heat has to hold on to.

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12, Amplified

When the hope that we have is gone, the heart sinks into sickness. It is said that most survivors in a tragic accident hold on simply because they hope to be rescued. But when that hope of salvation is gone, they slip away into death because there is nothing left to hold on to: hope is gone. My father clung to life for a few weeks, knowing that the doctors would find a way to fix his liver. When the realization came to him that his life would not be the same when a new liver was received, he called my mother on their anniversary, December 24. He told her how much he loved her, but that he could not fight anymore. She told him that everything was going to be okay, and she would she him on Christmas Day. The next morning we got the call about my father. We were able to spend the very last 3 hours of his life with him on December 25, 2008.

Hope as we saw it was gone, for my mother and my hope was for my father to live. But this was not the case. My father's hope was fulfilled, he received his tree of life. His desire was for the pain and suffering to end. Once he had breathed his last, his fight was over.

Whatever the hope may be in life, the heart wants for it so much that it can physically make one sick. But when that hope is fulfilled the heart springs back to life. It could be love or something a little more tangible. Whatever the case, present your concern to the Lord.