Sometimes when we are at the end of our capacity, we need to take a leaf out of Jeremiah’s
book. He was not afraid to share his anger and pain with God. He pours out his heart. He doesn’t try to pretend everything is fine when it isn’t.
So often, when we are not in a good place, we are less inclined to bring ourselves to God. We may distance ourselves by not praying because we don’t want to feel the difficult emotions we are carrying. We may cover up our pain by censoring what we say to God. God already knows our feelings and our struggles. But it helps us stay connected with God and helps that relationship to deepen if
we can share how we honestly feel.
It is interesting to notice that Jeremiah is engaging with God in a
prayer of lament. A prayer of lament, such as we find in many of the Psalms, has various elements. There is a complaint against God, a call for help, and finally, an affirmation of trust and a call to praise God. This is what Jeremiah does. He pours out his heart and his anger and frustration with God. And then, he makes an act of trust and faith in God.
In this way of praying, Jeremiah shows us how to be both real and honest with God about our feelings and simultaneously affirm our trust in the fact that “the Lord is at my side.”
There is something powerful about starting with where we are and then accepting the gift or grace we desire. It shows that despite the messy situations in which we find ourselves, we can ultimately trust God. We can share our anger with God and know God has our back.
There will come a time when things will be different.
Reflections by Annemarie
Paulin-Campbell
