The Thrill of Hope
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior. My God will hear me.1
In the early 1970s, researchers set up a famous experiment with young children known as the Marshmallow Test. In this demonstration, a child was placed in a room with a marshmallow in front of them on a table. The child was told, “You can eat this one marshmallow now. But if you wait 15 minutes, I will give you two.” They were then left alone in the room to be observed by the scientists behind a window. Some kids stared at the marshmallow. Some poked at it. A few even licked it. Others did their best to distract themselves by singing, dancing, or covering their eyes—anything to receive a greater reward. Some gave in to the instant gratification of the sweet treat. But others waited and earned their second portion. Curious with the results, researchers decided to track these children for years and what they found proved quite interesting. The kids who were able to wait tended to do better in school, manage stress more effectively, and even had healthier relationships. They had learned at a young age that hope for a future reward changes the way you live in the present.
This is a good picture of what it means to hope or wait on the Lord. Sometimes God chooses to set our blessing just out of reach and when we choose to patiently wait, He is forming our character. Hope is God’s gift to us and is the very Hope we celebrate in this Christmas season. God sent Hope to us in the form of His Son, Jesus. The Classic Carol, “O Holy Night” speaks of the thrill of Hope at the arrival of the Savior. Patiently waiting for God’s timing can be difficult and we may find ourselves giving in to the temptation of instant gratification, but God has promised us that a greater portion of blessing is coming if we wait. Eating the marshmallow now may be easier, but God has something better—a Hope for Salvation and an eternity with Him!
Suggested prayer: Dear Lord, may my Hope be in You not in the instant gratification this world offers me. Give me the strength to be patient and wait on You for the greater blessings I know you have in store for me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
1. Micah 7:7 (NIV).
Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.