This is something that can combine us all together. Since March of 2020, all of our lives have been changed drastically. We can look and see that there are things around us now that are completely different than what they were just a few short months ago (though it might feel like ages ago).
We have all experienced, seen, or shared in some level of pain or suffering. Whether it’s job loss, the loss of a loved one, or pain and strife on display on the news, one thing is certain – we can all relate to the idea of “pain”. In the past three months, we can probably look back on a certain moment, day, or conversation that revealed how deep those feelings were. Those feelings are real. They’re not only real, but the effects of that pain is real.
So what’s next? In the aftermath of pain and suffering, what can we do?
Lament is a word that is not used often in our western culture, especially in our “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” culture. Grinding it out, rubbing some dirt on it… these may be phrases of which we’re all too familiar. Could it be that God gave us a blueprint in how to deal with our pain and the pain of others?
Lament is how you live between hard experiences and God’s promises. Join us this Sunday to explore Psalm 13 and the biblical blueprint for how to deal with pain.
Kevin Choate
College Pastor