Through the ages the human heart has been intimately acquainted with the heavy ache of waiting. Throughout history, we have struggled under the crushing weight of unmet expectations, striving to achieve righteousness, peace, and security through performance and rule-keeping, all amplified by teachings and doctrine of the institutional church. This agonizing cycle is perfectly captured in the first half of Proverbs 13:12:
"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick..." (KJV)
When hope is constantly postponed, it drains the life out of our spirit.