Lament

Lament is a word used throughout scripture. It's been a word on my heart a lot as I study the book of Job. The word lament means to weep, wail, cry out, sob, and mourn. It is a word that means intense sorrow.

Job had lost more than one can imagine enduring. Sons, daughters, livestock, friends, his reputation, and his own physical health were all taken from him. He was in great emotional and spiritual pain. Job's heart was broken, and he was lamenting. Job was crying out to God for answers and relief.

As I attended a funeral last evening I was once again reminded of the word 'lament'  in a conversation I'd had with a loved one just after the death of a sibling. The statement was made, "I'm just so upset that God would allow this, but I can't say that because I'm supposed to trust that he knows best."

I disagree. God wants us to cry out. To wail. To mourn. To be real and honest with him. Anger and fear are human reactions to pain, and it is ok to voice such things to God. However, we must allow God to walk us through the stages of grieving so that we do not become bitter and hard hearted toward him. Ultimately we must stand on faith that he is God and we are not. He doesn't owe us answers. He's under no obligation to our questions,  but he does want us to lament. To seek him and turn to him in our pain so that he can bring healing to our hearts and a deeper intimacy with him.

Dear Lord,
This life is hard and in our suffering we must go through stages of grieve and mourning. We thank you that you are a God who hears. A God who wants us to be real with you. Keep our hearts soft as we work through our sufferings. Tender our hearts so that our pain draws us into deeper relationship with you.
Amen