Hi.
Welcome to the fe2 Women’s Mentoring Network.
Welcome to the fe2 Women’s Mentoring Network.
A lament by simple definition is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. Throughout Scripture it is depicted as a prayer language by which faithful followers of Christ who were enduring suffering, frustration and disappointment cried out to God. It is a bridge that connects our honest heart questions to the One who holds the answers. Admittedly, not necessarily the answers we want to hear - but definitely the ones He knows we need to hear.
The Psalms were poems and hymns used in Hebrew corporate worship. Many of the Psalms were in minor key and one-third of them are considered laments. That means we do not have to start from scratch- we can use Scripture as our guide to show us how to use this honest prayer language in talking to God.
But first, we must understand the depth of Who we are talking to. Read the following verses in John and list how He is described in each of them: John 6:35, 8:12, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1.
Read Revelation 22:13. How is He described? Sounds powerful. But is he approachable? Read Psalm 145:8. How is He described?
The book of Job is full of suffering and questioning of God’s goodness and authority. After all that Jobwent through, he cried out to God asking why. Did God listen? Did Job feel heard? Read Job 42:5-6.
Did you catch the difference in Job in 42:5? He had only heard about God but then after suffering and wrestling honestly with Him, he was able to see Him more clearly. Have you ever had a season of suffering to give you a clearer view of God? Or has it made you more bitter or apathetic?
Which of the descriptions of God above from John, Revelation and Psalms do you cling to the most? Which ones are you most skeptical about? Why?
Based on your upbringing and view of God, do you think it is okay to wrestle honestly with God with your thoughts and feelings? Or are you more prone to just to stifle it and pretend to accept whatever circumstances come your way because that is what good little Christian girls are supposed to do?
Using the Psalms as our guide, let’s find out how to respectfully wrestle honestly with the Lord. Read Psalm 13. Did David hide his true feelings? No. But the key is that he didn’t just complain to his friendsabout them. He confessed them to the Lord. He turned his questions into an honest conversation instead of a silent battle in his head.
Once David began the dialogue with the Lord and released his questions, he was able to move past his anger and replace that with a decision. He anchored his lament with a choice based on the clear view of God he had already experienced through previous trials. Read verse 5 and 6 again. What did he choose? Why?
Read through other laments to continue to see the pattern of turning to the Lord, sharing honestly withHim, and choosing to trust. Try Psalm 56, 77 and 143. Then, you’re on your way to writing your own or
having your own honest dialogue asking questions to the One who not only has the answers but IS the answer.
Suggested Reading: Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop