Each week, let’s reflect upon Sunday’s teaching through further exploration…
“Jesus Wept” (Rain or Shine Sermon Series)
Seasons come and go, and so do emotions. Although, much like a winter whose icy grip is loathsome to relent to spring, we can go through seasons of emotions that seem to persist.
As Jason communicated Sunday with the first message of the series “Rain or Shine: Trusting God in All Seasons,” sometimes we need help working through emotions. Sometimes there are other issues that need addressed, issues we might not realize are at play. Praise God for mental health professionals who can come alongside us!
Praise the Lord that also available to us are examples of others’ emotional journeys, examples we see in the Bible and also learn about through church history.
Perhaps one of the most complex and comprehensive books when it comes to emotions is the book of Psalms. Many of the Psalms are written by King David. His life had so many ups and downs that were we to read about it all in one sitting, we’d likely need to take a Dramamine first! The man had extreme highs in his life, but he experienced devastating blows. The psalms poignantly uncover how David mentally and spiritually maneuvered through his trials. Psalm 42, in particular, is raw with emotion. Tears as his food for day and night, downcast, disturbed, forgotten… these are the descriptions David gives about himself.
When we’re in a season of deep hurt, how easy it is to fixate on the pain… because the pain is so acute. No matter where we go, no matter whom we’re with, it’s a constant companion – wreaking havoc on our mind, body, and spirit. It seems to consume us whole. How is hope even possible during that time?
Right alongside David’s pain in Psalm 42 are words of praise. In verses 5 and 11, David writes, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Hope alongside the hurting – there’s the resilience God provides.
Praising God with hope through the pain does not discount it; it doesn’t ignore or avoid the present reality of the deep hurt we’re enduring. Instead, hope lovingly escorts us to a power higher than the pain, to a realization that though the agony persists now, its chains will be broken. Healing and restoration will come. We may or may not experience healing here in our mortal bodies, but we will when we dwell with God. Revelation 21:4 makes that clear:
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
There are many more examples in the Bible, and there are also examples in more recent history. Did you know Martin Luther suffered from depression? What about Charles Spurgeon – the “Prince of Preachers”; did you know his depression began at age 22 – seven years after becoming a Christ-follower and three years after beginning his ministry career? Spurgeon’s depression paired with other ailments took him out the pulpit frequently each year, but in God’s strength he persisted in being faithful to the Lord. Through study of God’s Word, Spurgeon recognized his pain as taking part in the suffering of Christ and as an avenue for refinement.
Psalm 31:24 is our memory verse for this month: “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Our hope is in the Lord.
“Hope itself is like a star – not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon