July 16, 2024 • Dr. David Hairabedian • Proverbs 13:12
Hope Deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). Overcoming Disappointment and Achieving Victory by David C. Hairabedian. In this poignant book, David Hairabedian reveals the enemy's three-phase strategy of Hope Deferred:
1). Life's authentic circumstances contradict God's promises.
2) The negative mindset that develops contrary to the Word of God.
3) A demon spirit that comes to oppress our minds and sicken our hearts against God.
Together, these form "a triple-braided cord that cannot be easily broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12). (Proverbs 13:12): "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life".
Hope-deferred results: The divorce rate has increased by 300% in the last 30 years; 50% of first-time marriages, 60% of remarriage, and 1 million children yearly are affected by divorce. 2 1/2 million divorces every year. The youth suicide rate has tripled in the last 40 years. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among young people in America. 25% of high school students seriously consider suicide every year—one-fourth of them. Psychiatric admissions account for 25% of all hospital admissions.
17 million adults have a depressive disorder. It was the leading cause of disability in America in 2018. 70% of pastors said they regularly fight depression. 80% of children of pastors seek professional help for depression. 50% of pastors said they would leave the ministry if they could but couldn't find another way to make a living.
(Proverbs 13:12) "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." Severe depression is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. It doesn't take a toll on your physical heart, but it takes a toll on your spiritual first, and then it affects your physical heart. Hopes deferred is said to be the common cold of the soul. It hinders you from dreaming. It prevents your energy and prevents you from going forward. It leads to frustration, anger, depression, disillusionment, confusion, and despair.
