Learning to Lament | RTP 20

Where can we turn when the dark clouds of pain, suffering, and loss roll into our lives? Even for believers, times of difficulty can bring discouragement and despair and it can be hard to know how to respond in faith in the midst of frustration or heartbreak.

Thankfully, the Bible gives us a clear means of dealing with our trials: the practice of lament. As our guest defines it, to lament is to turn to God in honest, desperate prayer, giving voice to the reality of our emotions—as intense and tumultuous as they may be. Ultimately, lament is an expression of faith in the God who hears our cries and responds with mercy and grace.

Our guest pastor Mark Vroegop draws on examples from the Bible and his own story of loss to walk us through steps of lament (Turn, Complain, Ask, and Trust). Learn more about the importance of lament from the author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament.

On This Episode We’ll Discuss:

What lament is, and why it is so important to the Christian lifeWhat we gain from studying lament in ScriptureHow we can complain to God without sinning against HimHow a proper view of sorrow and lament enriches our view of hope and graceThe process of biblical lament: Turning to God, Bringing our Complaint, Asking Boldly, and Choosing to TrustEncouragement for the hurting Christian

For more resources and information, see the show notes at ReasonableTheology.org/Episode20