Beware of These 3 Sneaky Hope Hijackers
Beware of These 3 Sneaky Hope Hijackers
Recently, during my morning quiet time, I read Proverbs 13:12: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (ESV).
Have you ever paused to notice the expressions on the faces of people around you?
Many look unhappy, hurried, and frustrated. In other words, their outward appearance reveals a sick heart on the inside.
The Hebrew word used in this verse for “sick” is challah, which means weak, afflicted, sick, or grieved.
So, I began to wonder: What exactly causes our hope to be delayed, resulting in an afflicted, sick heart?
I believe the answer lies in what we place our hope in and set our hopes on. When we place our hope in anything other than Jesus—even good things—we risk having it hijacked. See if any of these Hope Hijackers sound familiar.
Here are 3 Sneaky Hope Hijackers.
First of the 3 Sneaky Hope Hijakers – Imperfect People
When we place our hope in people, it’s unfair to them and sets us up for disappointment. Our deepest needs can only be fulfilled by one perfect person: Jesus Christ. We should not expect flawed people to behave flawlessly.
Yet, we often anticipate that our needs can be met by our spouse, friends, children, parents, and even pastors. We feel saddened when they fail to meet our expectations.
But that’s the point—people will always fall short. That’s why we must learn to set our hope on the One who will not and cannot disappoint because His very nature is hope.
Second, Watch Out for Circumstances
When we set our hope on a situation, we may experience joy for a moment, but it is fleeting. My husband and I have moved three times over the past four years. With each relocation, I hoped we’d find a good community and a thriving church where we could make friends.
Yet, that was not to be. I hoped my neighbors would be friendly; they were not. I hoped the women’s Bible study at church would be welcoming; the group was not. Truly, I hoped our home would be a place where our spirits could rest and be refreshed after long days in the office; it was not. Even more, my hope was contingent on outward situations unfolding as I had planned.
In these moments of discouragement, the Lord gently reminded me that this world is not my home. And I cannot set my hope on it. Our hope must be in Him and in the eternal home He has prepared for us (John 14:3).
Third, of the 3 Sneaky Hope Hijackers – Things
After a particularly trying week during my sophomore year of high school, my parents took me shopping at a local mall. After trying on and purchasing several outfits, I hoped I’d fit in a little better and feel more confident when I returned to school the following Monday.
Thrilled to wear my new peach-colored shirt and khaki skirt, accessorized with a cool, chunky leather belt, I headed to the bus stop. The other kids waiting didn’t notice my efforts to look cool or relevant. They didn’t even notice me. The happiness and hopefulness faded right there on the cul-de-sac at 7 a.m.
As adults, we still do this, don’t we?
We get a new vehicle, hoping it will make us happy, and it does—until something goes wrong mechanically or it gets scratched by a runaway cart in a parking lot. Or what about bling? Many of us are thrilled with the shine and sparkle of a new piece of jewelry—until the silver tarnishes or a stone falls out.
Things can provide a hopeful high when we first receive them, but after a while, like everything else earthbound, that thrill doesn’t translate into a hope that is fulfilling.
One of My Favorites
One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 15:13: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (NLT).
Fulfilling, lasting hope can only come from God, the Author of hope. When we trust in Him and Him alone, we will overflow with confident hope, combined with joy and peace. Isn’t this what every human heart craves— hope that cannot disappoint (Romans 5:5)?
When our hope rests in Him and on Him, our weak, afflicted, sick hearts are transformed into vessels of life to refresh others with the Good News. His desires become our desires, giving us opportunities to share the hope that lies within us with the weary souls around us (1 Peter 3:15). When Jesus is the source of our hope, it can’t be hijacked.
A Great Musical Reminder
Minister and hymn writer Edward Mote captured the sentiment of biblical hope in his hymn My Hope is Built on Nothing Less. I pray you will pause and consider these words that encourage us to build our lives on the hope that anchors our souls (Hebrews 6:19):
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”
About the Author – Dawn Wallis
Dawn would be delighted to connect with you through social media, her website, or email.
You can learn more at dawnwallis.com or by emailing her at dawn@dawnwallis.com.
Look for her 90-day devotional, Southern Sunshine, to be published in May 2026 by Kregel Books.
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