The story...
I've had the joy of meeting weekly with a group of men while we studied the bible. One Monday night we were considering the lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah who lived 40 years warning Jerusalem of God's pending judgment. The people, temple, palace, city, law, festivals, and land would be punished for not being the called out group of people that God required. A remnant of 4,600 people would be exiled to Babylon for 70 years to cleanse the people and the land from the effects of sin. Jerimiah lamented deeply - he's known as the weeping prophet.
All life involves suffering. Ignoring, pretending and hiding seem to be reasonable ways to cope; yet, they run rife with bad consequences. Bottled up emotions and pretending are no way to live a good life either. God's Word say He knows our heart and hears our prayers that cry out with the pain inflicted from both our personal and collective sin.
The only church in town would be acutely aware that they're living in a cursed world. People need to be restored when sin inflicts it's damage. Real freedom and love are offered to us by God through faith in His great work in Christ. Yet, the pain and sufferings of life take their toll. God hears our lamenting and loves those who walk faithfully beside Him within the only church in town.
Why not go to a quiet place and let it out today?
Just for today...
"Courtesy . . . is an expression of love, warm concern for the other person's comfort, peace of mind and well being . . . The practice of courtesy in the home gives us many opportunities each day to convey our love in little ways." One Day at a Time (p. 1'59)
"When I turn off one feeling, I shut off all the others . . . Sobbing, wailing, lamenting - all different ways of discharging my pain so that I can heal - allow me to experience the strength of my aliveness." Hope for Today (p. 159)
"Mood chemicals flow; Might feel blue - Must I react; Are they true?"
"Wonderful sensors; Super-hero tall - Fully human; Feelings and all." Am I a Poet?
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