Lament Explored: Part III: Lament Contrasted

 Note:  This is Part III of my 5-Part exploration of Lament.  Use the links below to read my previous posts.  

Part I:  What is Lament?

Part II: What does Lament do?

Part III: Lament Contrasted

Part IV:  Trust Born From Lament

Part V: How to Lament

Part III:  Lament Contrasted

“Life is full of vexing questions related to God’s purposes.  Pain often highlights perplexing paradoxes.  Lament is expressed even though the tension remains” (Vroegop, p.95-96).

We can’t begin to understand the mind and heart of God, but we can be confident that His purposes are for our good and His glory, even when they don’t feel that way. 

Lament in many ways helps us reconcile the truths about God and what we are feeling in the deepest, darkest pit. 

As I have journeyed through lament, I have seen firsthand how contrasting outside realities can be from my inner realities or God’s realities.

When the storm rages around me and one bad thing after another falls on me seeking to suffocate the life out of me, lament leads me to an inner stillness that God is still in control, and His peace is still mine as I turn to him in complaint of my circumstances, asking for His deliverance, and reminding myself and Him of His unfailing promises.  When failed leadership and injustice knock the breath out of me, lament reminds me of the brokenness of the world I live in and the sharp contrast of my Shepherd leader King who is always just. On the days when dark clouds of loneliness feel so heavy, lament helps me realize that I am not alone and that God is right there with me walking alongside of me or carrying me when I am too weak to walk on my own.

In Dark Clouds Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament, Mark Vroegop makes many contrasting statements about lament that deserve a pause for meditation:

“Lament is not merely an expression of sorrow; it is a memorial” (Vroegop, p.90).

“Lament not only vocalizes the pain but can also memorialize the message beneath the struggle—if we’ll listen and not forget” (Vroegop, p.94).

“Lament doesn’t wait for resolution.  It gives voice to the tough questions before the final chapter is written” (Vroegop, p.96).

“Lament not only mourns the brokenness of suffering; it also looks expectantly toward what is yet to come” (Vroegop, p.116).

“Instead of running from the shame of sorrow, lament embraces it.  Lament looks through the fog for the grace of God’s remembrance.  The road map to grace involves an appeal for God to remember while at the same time rehearsing the pain” (Vroegop, p.144).

“Lament is never a song you set out to sing.  But in the discovery of lament, everyone can find grace for the pains of life” (Vroegop, p.172).

Lament is necessary to make sense of a life of juxtapositions. Lament helps us make sense of this confusing, broken world.  Lament helps us come out on the other end of grief and sorrow to the promise of unending joy and gladness in our life yet to come.

“In lament, we are honest with the struggles of life while also reminding ourselves that God never stops being God.  His steadfast love never ends.  He is sufficient.  Therefore, our hope is not in a change of circumstances but in the promises of a God who never stops being merciful—even when dark clouds loom.  His mercy never ceases” (Vroegop, p.113-114).