I’ve read Lamentations many times. I often felt it was a difficult book to read because it’s evident that Jeremiah felt a lot of big feelings…but when we reflect on his life as a prophet, it’s obvious he would. He was human, after all.
Today while reading a portion of Lamentations, I felt so seen. Understood, even.
It’s like I read the words with new eyes.
It’s no secret that our family has been in an interesting season ever since 2019. Covid didn’t begin our season, it only compounded it. By the time Covid hit we had already lost our business of over 10 years because of the non-sensical fear of oil and gas that has increased in our country.
We went through a long season of no work, work that just got us by, and a couple new careers…and finally early this year Chris was restored to the energy sector…except this time it’s focused on renewables…
This restoration of respect and honor in his field has been unbelievably beneficial for him and as a result our entire family. His joy has been restored. I watched as a huge weight began to lift off of his shoulders. I watched as he was appreciated for his resume again and brought into a company with immediate plans to promote him. It was amazing to see the sparkle in his eyes again. Men need to be providers. It’s built within their very soul.
This turn around has led me to contemplate the entire season we’ve been walking through.
I cannot count the times I sat in my prayer closet lamenting. Crying. Wrestling to hold onto hope. Feeling defeated. Feeling lost. Feeling alone. Feeling desperate.
Every time I felt all of these things I never stopped in them. I allowed myself to voice these things to God because I knew I would end up landing on praise and remembering His faithfulness.
Lamenting can be an important part of our process.
When a believer laments, we will always land on praise.
If we openly bring the full gambit of our emotions to Jesus, He will always allow our hearts to begin to testify to us.
It has never failed that I would end up remembering the good things. Remembering the answered prayers. Remembering that God has always come through. Remembering.
If we hold back our lamenting, it’s so much harder to land on His grace.
Today, I encourage you to read this portion of scripture and let it testify to you. You are not alone.
I will include a portion of Lamentations chapter 3, but I encourage you to go read the entire chapter on your own. It’s so good.
I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the Lord’s anger. He has led me into darkness, shutting out all light. He has turned His hand against me again and again, all day long. He has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress. He has buried me in a dark place, like those long dead. He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains. And though I cry and shout, He has shut out my prayers. He has blocked my way with a high stone wall; He has made my road crooked. He has hidden like a bear or a lion, waiting to attack me. He has dragged me off the path and torn me in pieces, leaving me helpless and devastated. He has drawn His bow and made me the target for His arrows. He shot His arrows deep into my heart. My own people laugh at me. All day long they sing their mocking songs. He has filled me with bitterness and given me a bitter cup of sorrow to drink. He has made me chew on gravel. He has rolled me in the dust. Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost!” The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet, I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So, it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of His discipline. Lamentations 3:1-27
365 Days in the Presence 