In the course of our lives, we all encounter times of uncomfortable change, grief and loss. Facing our losses can be painful, but our emotional selves are not helped if we try to gloss over or to deny them. As it turns out, there is help from an ancient source which models the way to do this…
For millennia, untold numbers have found help and solace during times of change and trouble in a source which has come to be called, “The Prayer Book of the Church”—the Book of Psalms.
Joshua Knabb, in an article titled, “Moving from Stress to Gratitude in the Covid-19 Era by Meditating on the Psalms”, shows how the Psalms point the way to embracing loss as well as gratitude. In the Psalms, 21st century Christians have modelled before them this “both/and” approach to life’s losses, as a way forward into both psychological as well as spiritual growth and well-being.
The Psalms were themselves slowly accumulated over millennia and contain a variety of kinds. Many Psalms are praises, but the largest type of Psalms can be called “laments”. These laments were written during times of war, famine, exile, persecution, spiritual dearth and personal loss. As we examine these laments, a recurring pattern emerges…
Firstly, the psalmists are honest-to-God. These writers are not timid to bring their complaints to God. They speak frankly to God about their hurts, fears, loneliness, and pain. We would do well ourselves to air our griefs to the great Counselor of our souls. It is through admitting our need for help that we prepare our hearts for the master Helper to come to our aid.
Ultimately, after revealing their hearts to God the Psalmists move toward a posture of gratitude for God’s faithfulness. Not gratitude for the troubles in their lives but gratitude despite them. The writers at times even take to listing or cataloging the many ways God has demonstrated his power and presence in the past as a way to redirect their hearts to look with hope to the future.
In Christian counseling, we see God as the invisible third party to our conversations. Together as we honestly discuss life’s changes and challenges, we redirect our hearts toward renewed ways of thinking and imagining our futures.
I am here to partner with you along life’s journey, whether you are in a season of praise or of lament.
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