Our darkest emotions...
There is a whole book in the Bible called Lamentations. I'm thinkin' that God can handle my darkest feelings. He can deal with the fact that we are sad. We all think that Christians are supposed to be happy all the time and there is no room for "down" time. Being "down" doesn't fit the perfect picture of what Christians should be. So, I suppress my feelings, thinking that God and my neighbors can't handle it when we're down. When in fact, my new neighbor just revealed to me that she liked that she could identify with me because I was "real". My tendency is to alleviate pain and suffering out of my life at all cost and to create a quick fix. Yet, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn" (Matt. 5:4). I have learned that I need to embrace pain and suffering instead of trying to avoid it. Life is a struggle. (Ps 88:13-18)
Do I take the time to embrace those who are struggling? Do I make room for those who are faint hearted? Or do I expect every one to have it together...maybe like I appear to be? Jesus wants us to be "real" and not fake. I can smell some one who is fake with my "fak-ar"... can't you? I'm thinkin' that God wants us to bring Him our darkest emotions and feelings. It's ok to be there every once in a while. This week I was struck by the words of Matt Redman's tune: "Blessed Be your Name"...where I can shout "Blessed Be Your Name" even when I'm walking through the wilderness. You can, too!!