
Disbelief and Lamentations
“Nobody likes a whiner”, is a phrase trucked out to children who, well, whine a lot. A high-pitched cry or sound is never pleasant to the ears and so we tend to shut it down – for our own sake.
Sometimes, we can transfer this attitude towards people who always seem to have something to complain about. Nothing’s ever satisfactory, nothing’s ever easy, nothing’s ever right.
Lamenting, on the other hand, is real sorrow brought before the Lord. He receives that and is there to comfort us in our distress.
Psalm 71:20-21 (CEB)
You, who have shown me many troubles and calamities, will revive me once more. From the depths of the earth, you will raise me up one more time. Please increase my honour and comfort me all around.
Isaiah 46:4 (GNT)
I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.
Seasons in life can be distressing. Especially when it seems nobody else understands or cares, we can receive God’s grace to walk through these times. We are justified to believe that He will bring us through it to the other side and restore what we have lost.
Jeremiah 30:17 (NIV)
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’
Lamenting is acceptable to the Lord, but unchecked, habitual lamenting becomes complaining, which is based in disbelief, which leads to rebellion against God.
Isaiah 41:10 (ISV)
Don't be afraid, because I'm with you; don't be anxious, because I am your God. I keep on strengthening you; I'm truly helping you. I'm surely upholding you with my victorious right hand."
God receives our lamentations, our pain in its rawest form and never turns us away. But we have to recognise disbelief or self-pity for what it is and dismiss them. They should not be a part of the believers thinking or speech because the believer must believe. The believer may have doubts from time to time, but can continue to trust in God’s goodness and ability to do what He has promised. God has promised to look after His people. If we are waiting for Him to act, to heal, to move, to restore in times of sorrow or distress, we can do that in quiet thanksgiving with a receptive, obedient heart.
Psalm 117:2 (NLT)
For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
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