Change One Letter

By Frank Williams

May 11, 2026

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Disappointment is a big and heavy word that can leave you heartsick. The word “deferred” means, “To delay; to put off; to postpone to a future time.” If the delay of some hope or expectation is unrelenting, the heart can sink into a feeling of emptiness.

Sometimes everything seems to be going wrong—hopes are dashed, dreams have faded, desires frustrated, and so many great expectations are deferred. Even yet, though the heart is affected, we cope with the vacuum of today because we hope for something better tomorrow.

In life, we hope for that job, or acceptance to a college, or a positive answer from a sweetheart, or a good return on an investment, or a loved one restored to health. We are willing to work hard and live frugally during days as college students or newlyweds because we have hopes of better tomorrows.  

When the desire in life comes, it brings life-giving powers—a tree of life. It may be an answered prayer or any number of finally realized fulfillments. What joy and elation comes from this tree of life! What nourishment and encouragement! It is just what we needed to show up in order to keep going.  

Hope is a strong rope that pulls us out of the pit of boredom or despair. Maybe life has not turned out exactly as we dreamed or hoped. With the Lord’s help, we can change one letter in “disappointment” and gain a new perspective.

“Dis-appointment” becomes “His-appointment.”

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Reflection—Nothing about us is more human than our ability to imagine the future and to be distressed or blessed by its outcome. The hope in the Gospel will never let us down.