LAMENT

Seek After Safety? | Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio


  (Some biblical scholars believe that Psalm 22 and Psalm 23 was originally one Psalm.  Read them in succession and what you get is a complete story of lament, assurance, peace and assurance)

     Let me share some wisdom from life experience.  God doesn't expect us to always be his smiling, little sunbeams.  It's okay not to feel okay.  It's okay to feel weak.  It's okay when we feel life is unbearable, to crawl into the lap of God-Abba, God-Daddy, and let it all out.  And, brothers and sisters, if you feel you're too old or it's undignified to do that, you're wrong.  There's a reason God calls us his children, and Jesus tells us to call out to Abba (daddy) in our time of need.

He wants us to rush into His arms . . . - Women Journeying Through ...      Lament, as a form of prayer, is just that.  It is not a pity party.  It is not a time to whine and to complain.  It is a gift of an opportunity to honestly share what is breaking our hearts, making us feel helpless, or fills us with fear and anger.  So go ahead, let it all out, and while you're sheltering in the arms of God, just be.

      Speak the words, write the words, but get the feelings out for the sake of spiritual, mental and physical health and well-being.  I find it best not to talk to God in your head.  We need to make some room in there for the Holy Spirit and to hear the still, small voice of God who will speak comfort and assurance to us and whisper, "It will be okay."

      We don't have to be strong on our own or have all the answers.  Lament allows us to lay our burdens down and exchange our sorrows, anger and frustration for God's grace, which is always enough for what we need.  


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