Note: This is Part IV of my 5-Part exploration of Lament. Use the link below to read my previous post.
Part IV: Trust Born From Lament
Part V: How to Lament
Part V: How to Lament
“Rather than being angry, fearful, apathetic, or despairing,
we should choose to lament. We can
follow the example of lament psalms, moving through complaint toward trust…We
should express our sorrow while allowing lament to reaffirm the important
spiritual realities underlying our lives, our culture, and our future. God has a bigger plan. He can be trusted” (Vroegop, p.103).
You will see patterns and variations of these 4 steps throughout
the Psalms of Lament. Use them to guide
you in your own prayers of lament.
Turn: An address to God
“The first step in lament pushes against [deafening silence—prayerlessness]
by calling us to keep praying” (Vroegop, p.142).
Vroegop description: “Address
God as you come to him in prayer. This
is sometimes combined with complaint” (Vroegop, Appendix 3).
Example from a Psalm of Lament: Psalm 4:1 - “Answer me when
I call to you, O my righteous God.”
Complain: A
complaint to God
“Through godly complaint we are able to express our
disappointment and move toward a resolution.
We complain on the basis of our belief in who God is and what he can do”
(Vroegop, p.44).
“The lament psalms teach us that these feelings should not
be dismissed as invalid or sinful. They
are part of the journey—an aspect of genuine faith” (Vroegop, p.46).
Vroegop description: “Identify in blunt language the
specific pain or injustice. Why or how
is often part of the complaint” (Vroegop, Appendix 3).
Example from a Psalm of Lament: Psalm 10:1 - “Why, O LORD,
do you stand far off? Why do you hide
yourself in times of trouble?”
Ask: A bold request of God
Vroegop description: “Specifically call upon god to act in a
manner that fits his character and resolves your complaint” (Vroegop, Appendix
3).
Example from a Psalm of Lament: Psalm 13:3 - “Look on me and
answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my
eyes, or I will sleep in death;”
Trust: An expression of trust and/or praise
Vroegop description: “Affirm God’s worthiness to be trusted,
and commit to praising him” (Vroegop, Appendix 3).
Example from a Psalm of Lament: Psalm 28:6-7 – “The LORD is
my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks
to him in song.”
Conclusion:
“[T]he steps of lament must be learned. It is vital to the Christian faith. It is how we make our way through the pains
of life while clinging to the hope of the gospel” (Vroegop, p.84).
Learn these steps.
Meditate on the Psalms of Lament to help you in that process and get
lamenting!
Reflect on these final thoughts on lament:
“Prayerfully celebrate the reign of God even when you have
no idea how the plan will unfold. The
presence of pain—no matter how strong—does not negate the plan of God. He still reigns. Therefore, we can tearfully pray one last
prayer” (Vroegop, p.148).
“Private lament—all alone with God—has the potential to
bring healing to your soul and strength to your heart as you walk a lonely road”
(Vroegop, p.170).
“Pain and hardship come in unexpected and unwelcomed
waves. Lament is the personal song that
expresses our grief while embracing God’s goodness” (Vroegop, p.172).
“When dark clouds roll in, lament is the path to find mercy—even
as the clouds linger. Lament is the
bridge between dark clouds and deep mercy” (Vroegop, p.190).
I pray that lament will be as much of a blessing to you as
it has been to me.
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the
land of the living. Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” ~ Psalm 27:13-14
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