If you have been a Christian for awhile you’ll notice that God doesn’t always do things as fast as you’d like. At times, it seems as if He doesn’t care about your situation as you call out to Him for help. There is a verse in Proverbs that explains what this experience can feel like.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:5
After many years of asking God for a certain blessing with countless deferments, my heart felt sick. Why is this happening after all the promises He keeps giving me? I long for the desire of my heart to be fulfilled, for my dream to come true, but I keep being deferred.
When someone is sick the only answer is for them to take medication to relieve the pain, and this is what we have to do as we wait for God to answer our prayers and our dream to come true.
There are many ways to medicate a sad heart when it’s weary and sick from waiting, and the world offers lots of solutions. For some its eating comfort food, for others its ‘binge watching’ on fantasy movies that help them escape from reality. For others its drinking wine to try and make the heart glad or some other form of medicating drug. These all have a temporary effect but there’s always a catch. Like wine there is a hangover, a price you’ll pay for doing it the world’s way.
For many years I would watch movies when I felt sad, to try and escape the feelings in my heart. As time went by the movies got more graphic and the language more profane. Instead of making me feel better it made me feel worse and hardened my heart to the things of God. The Spirit challenged me and said that I was more excited about movies and fantasy than I was for the truth of God’s word. I loved these worldly plots more than the life giving messages in the bible. I repented of this and began to realise that these deferments could either be a stumbling-block or a stepping-stone for me to greater things. If I did things God’s way I will rise above the problem and make it my servant and not let it be a curse to me. Remember if God is closing a door there is always a better way ahead.
I have found that the only true medication in times of trial is prayer, faith and His word. As King David said.
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
The word of God would give David’s sick heart strength, as he waited to see God’s deliverance in this life and not just when he got to heaven one day. The word of God can be life to you too and health to all your flesh – including your heart. Proverbs 4:20-22 says
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health (medicine) to one’s whole body.”
Another great medication for a sick heart is to pray, especially in tongues. Its amazing how feelings and vision can change after a time of praying in tongues. It says that praying in the Spirit edifies you (builds you up) 1 Corinthians 14:4.
My favourite way to do this is to go on prayer walks, bringing appropriate verses to mind. Using the word along with praying in tongues is wonderful medication for a sick heart and has an amazing effect.
One of the main reasons why God delays in what He has promised us, is because the trial of our faith that we are going through, actually changes us into what He has planned – to be like His Son.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,“ Romans 8:28-29
We only quote this verse by faith, when things aren’t working out for us as we would like, but its end purpose is that we might be conformed into the image of Christ. This is what God wants.
Jacob wrestled with an Angel through the night and said that he wouldn’t stop wrestling until he was blessed. “I wont let you go until you bless me.” Because he prevailed through the night he was changed from Jacob into Israel (Prince with God). Genesis 32:22-32
We too may be holding unto God for a blessing and its a long time a coming. But just as surely as Jacob was changed into royalty before the breaking of the day, so shall we see a new day dawn, and realise that we have been changed too. Keep believing in the dark what God told you in the light.
Another thing that I have realised from our delays with God is that, as we hold unto God’s promises, we become royalty or should I say, realise that we are royalty. In fact the word says that we are Kings and Priests with God.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
From this verse you see that there is a special blessing for those who persevere under trial, for they will receive a crown, a crown of life. We often think of this as something given to us as a final reward in heaven, but I’m sure its also down here on earth. Crowns are given to royalty, so even though you may not have what you are hoping for just yet, your thinking is being changed into that of a King - The King of Kings. One thing about Kings is that they have authority and exercise power.
“Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?” Ecclesiastes 8:4
Having the right attitude under trial will change you into a better person with more authority, so rejoice at what God is doing in your life. He hasn’t forgotten you, He’s using the delay to change you into something stronger, so that you can handle the blessing when it comes. You will look back and realise that what you wanted would have destroyed you unless God had changed you in the delay.
Satan is constantly wanting us to give up and take 2nd best. Jesus warns us in Revelation that our crown can be taken away from us here in this life if we are not careful, which shows us that it’s not just a heavenly reward.
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 3:11
If you continue to persevere under trial, your dream will eventually come true and you will experience not only the power of the crown of life but also eat fruit from your tree of life. While everyone else may be experiencing famine, you’ll have more than enough to give great blessing to those around you, because you prevailed.
Instead of complaining, start praising God today and declare that you ARE ‘blessed’ because you are persevering. “Blessed are those who persevere.” You will soon find His favour increasing on your life as you exercise the right attitude and your dream will come true.
“But the good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God’s favour; the dawn gives way to morning splendor,” Proverbs 4:18 TLB