Grieving with God

Answer me quickly, O Lord!  My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me,

lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.     Psalm 143:7-8 NIV

  
 Psalm 143 is a great example of pouring out our pain to God while at the same time reaffirming our trust in him.  God is fully aware of our pain and we never need to be afraid of honestly speaking to him about it. In fact, spilling our guts to God can set us free from the hurts that hold us down and steal our energy.
 

   This week, take some time to air out your grief to God.  What is frustrating you?  Are you feeling a painful loss?  Are you angry about some circumstances?  Get alone and talk to God about it in detail.  If you have a journal, write out your pain to God.  Don’t just make a general statement such as “God, I hate what’s going on in my life right now.”  Tell him exactly what you hate and how it is draining you.  After you have poured out your heart to God, take some time to affirm your trust in him.  Remember that he is good and faithful and tell God that even though you don’t understand what’s going on, you still trust him.  If you feel comfortable, you may want to pour out your complaint to God in the presence of a friend.  Affirm your your trust in God to your friend and then have your friend pray for you.