Reassess and Move On – Proverbs 13

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12

No one loves the sting of disappointment. It can truly make the heart sick to dwell on all the times our expectations were dashed when things didn’t go to plan.

Much of our efforts toward good mental health are wrapped up in how we manage when our best hopes are deferred.

Disappointments are part of life. This needs to be understood from the beginning. Some bonus parenting advice: never give your children every silly little thing they want. It’s unrealistic to assume that your every wish will be granted.

Even when you’ve done the planning, worked hard, and done everything right, things can go awry. It’s what you do next that matters.

Do you mope and wallow in self pity? Do you lay blame and lash out at others? Or do you reassess and keep moving forward?

Do that third thing. Dust yourself off and, factoring in the new data, wisely determine your next steps. Then take them.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12

Please be sure to read the chapter of Proverbs from which this devotional is taken. The point of these posts is to inspire or remind you to dig into Proverbs for yourself. May God bless you and give you strength and wisdom to live your best life for him!