Just thought I’d begin by warning you that I’m about to be raw and honest with you, Friend.
Last week was a tough one for me. It began with utter surprise by what I heard.
In the first moment I had alone, I began to shed tears. It just became an ugly cry with loud pangs of sadness. Ultimately, I spent the day in a fog and just checked out.
By the next day, I felt anger overtake me. I was struggling with frustration and ready to chew out anyone who dared to ask me a question of any form.
With 48 hours under my belt, it seemed as if all the emotions that needed to be released had been. I felt a calm come over me and I grabbed ahold of the promises in God’s Word. Then, I proceeded to reach out for prayer support.
That’s where I have been since. It’s not a perfect process or place. Then again, I’m not perfect. I’m human and I think I needed that reminder last week.
Sometimes, we as believers need permission to know that it’s okay to be heartbroken or to be infuriated. It doesn’t make us weak or less than as a child of God.
The key however is not to remain stuck in any of those feelings permanently. Feelings are fleeting but God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. That’s the anchor for our hope.
In John chapter 11, we read about the death of Lazarus. His sister Martha spoke to Jesus first expressing, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (verse 21). When Lazarus’ other sister Mary greeted Jesus with the same words, “Jesus saw her weeping, and … He was deeply moved” (verse 33). What graciousness we see as Jesus allowed each of them to process their thoughts and feelings.
But they didn’t remain there. Martha asserted her trust and faith in verses 22 and 27: “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” and “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God”.
I don’t know what you may be walking through in your life right now, but recognize that it’s healthy to release the tears of sadness and verbalize your frustrations. Even in disappointment and sorrow, God is with you. Just as David said: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26 ESV).
I love these lyrics by Helen H. Lemmel:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face …
His word shall not fail you”
~Joyce
Photo Credit: Fa Barboza on Unsplash
