A song of praise and lament
That’s quite a puzzle
Life can hit you with some really hard blows sometimes, the kind that cut you to the bone. Think about the intense suffering of others – and yeah, sadly, I know a thing or two about that. How do you deal with it? More importantly, do you ever find a satisfying answer? The funny thing is, this topic often gets sidestepped in many evangelical churches. But how do you reconcile something like that with such a powerful message of victory and liberation? That’s quite a puzzle, isn’t it?
A struggle
Let’s be honest, suffering brings sorrow. We’d much rather throw exuberant parties than stand solemnly at a funeral or offer comfort at a sickbed. And often, we feel awkward: do our well-meaning advice and positive words actually help? Because no matter how deep our faith, not every prayer is answered immediately. Just think of those heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:39; they didn’t always get what they hoped for right away, but God molded them into beautiful people. It’s a fact: everyone, sooner or later, will face pain and hardship. It’s just part of the deal.
We all know that laundry list of setbacks: losing your job, a divorce, children who abandon their faith, a serious illness that turns your life upside down, family feuds, broken relationships, unattainable goals crumbling like sandcastles, or business blunders that cost you dearly. Every person carries their own story, and they’re often eager to share it, or sometimes, not at all. That’s why there must be room for both exuberant songs of praise and deeply felt laments. Our gatherings often burst with cheers and jubilation, which is wonderful. But there also needs to be a safe space for those quiet, sorrowful laments.
Hidden grief
The Bible is brimming with despair, depression, and sorrow. Think of Jeremiah, Job, Saul, David, Daniel… The list of faith heroes is simultaneously a collection of deeply tragic events and human struggles. Despair quickly leads to those haunting ‘why me?’ questions. The answer, however, remains clear: God is on your side, because suffering doesn’t come from Him.
Close to home, we also see plenty of suffering. People pass away, prayers sometimes go unanswered, wishes aren’t fulfilled. Often, despite our best intentions, we don’t have a ready answer for so much suffering. Sometimes, all you can do is just be there, simply stand by the other person and offer silent support. And then there’s so much hidden suffering, voices that aren’t heard because people are afraid of not being understood. Spiritual suffering includes fears that tear you apart, worries that keep you awake, pains that make you despondent, and the overwhelming feeling of being abandoned.
David’s silent prayer
Suffering has many faces, and they’re all equally raw. It can lead to complete isolation – you build a wall around yourself and shut out the world. It can be a constant, exhausting battle, feeling like you’re getting hit again and again. It can fill you with bitterness, as if you’re only eating bitter herbs. And it can evoke deep fears, that oppressive, dull feeling – as if your sparkle has vanished and your hope in God is gone – it can even lead to a ‘prayer blockade,’ where you cry out for help, but it seems like no one hears you.
Tears of deep sorrow then flow incessantly. You feel trapped, see no way out, and despair strikes mercilessly; it feels like your life is being suffocated in a pit, like Jeremiah. And then come the reproaches and accusations, sometimes even directed at God, as described in the Psalms. In such a dire situation, David prayed in silence: “Put my tears in your bottle.” Back then, that was a real thing: professional mourners would collect tears in small bottles, which then received a place of honor. A tangible symbol of shared grief, very powerful.
Oh, and don’t forget the spiritual battle, which is just as real: “Like a bear he lurks for me, like a lion in hiding.” It sometimes feels like you’re constantly being stalked by a spiritual enemy.
More than just words
Your attitude is crucial; it can make or break someone. How often do we judge others too quickly? It’s so easy to have an opinion ready. Never judge someone until you’ve literally walked a mile in their shoes. Even well-meaning advice can backfire if it’s not given at the right time or in the right way. We often feel uncomfortable around people who are depressed and don’t know how to react. God desires mercy, not empty sacrifices. Jesus didn’t judge the woman at the well, who had been discarded five times. He saw her, listened, and gave her exactly what she was looking for: living water.
What, then, is our hope in all of this? The ancient confession speaks of God’s faithfulness: “Our help is in the Name of the Lord…” It might sound like an old cliché, but its depth is immense. Sometimes there’s no ready-made solution, processes are simply irreversible. But there is help to be found. We find it in Jesus; not superficial enthusiasm, but a deep, inner devotion. He suffered with us, for He Himself suffered terribly. It is crucial to sincerely seek God’s heart: “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” That’s what it’s all about.
A different perspective
A change of mindset is desperately needed. The pessimist sees a gigantic Goliath and shrinks back, while the believer sees a tremendous opportunity. Always expect victory in the struggle, perhaps differently or later than you think. Hold on to God’s faithfulness, however difficult that may be: “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
We can expect an answer from God, but how and when is up to Him. He can answer through the Bible (“Your word is a lamp for my feet”), a thought that suddenly pops into your head, a dream that gives you insight, a song that touches you, a sermon that seems to be specially for you, a prophecy, or simply through the circumstances around you. One thing is for sure: God answers. “As often as I call, you are near; you say to me, ‘Do not be afraid.'”
More than a conqueror
Try to focus your thoughts as much as possible on God, and less on your problems. It’s like the sound of a highway: after a while, you don’t hear it anymore. That’s how your problems will control your life less. Even if you haven’t achieved a noticeable victory yet, in Him, you are still more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37 states very clearly: “But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” That “all these things” includes tribulation, danger, and even the sword.
Perhaps you currently feel like a defeated person, struggling to keep your head above water. But you can consider yourself a co-owner of that text: “But in all these things we are more than conquerors.” Think of that famous football player, who, after his farewell, was cheered with his young son by his hand. The applause was also for the son, who hadn’t played a top match yet. Even if you’re spiritually still in your infancy and surrounded by problems, you’re walking hand-in-hand with the Lord. His victory is also for you.
“I realize: my only possession is the Lord, all my hope is placed in Him.” That sentence pretty much sums it up perfectly, don’t you think?
@wimvanputten