One of my favorite Bible Teachers/Leaders is Beth Moore, from Houston, Texas. Her primary audience is women, yet I know men find benefit in her teachings as well. Like many Bible Teachers, you may or may not like her style. I happen to really enjoy her personality, sense of humor and approach to teaching. Her ministry is called Living Proof Ministries.
I recently discovered the Living Proof Ministries Blog written by Beth and her two daughters, Amanda and Melissa. Melissa does much of the Biblical research for her mom to use in writing her Bible studies. Now that you have the background. I wanted to share with you Melissa’s post from yesterday (3/12/09) titled; Melissa’s Theological Wrestling Match: Reverence for God Revisited.
Reading this post really struck a chord with me. So often I hear from people going through divorce wondering where is God in all of this? I understand the confusion and frustration one feels as their marriage is falling apart. If God hates divorce, why can’t He stop it? Why can’t He change the heart of the person wanting the divorce, or change the behavior of the abusive spouse? I understand the wondering “Where is God in all of this?” I can relate to the anger and pain one feels when God seems to be allowing your marriage to crumble. (The picture in this post is the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem>)
If you are in the process of divorce, or recently divorced, I would encourage you to lament to God your feelings regarding your divorce. God knows your heart. He has seen your tears. He knows your pain. If you have not already expressed your true feelings to God, I encourage you to be honest with Him now. Are you believing God, or like me do you need to seek His forgiveness for your unbelief?
Begin by reading Melissa’s blog post, I know it is long. I hope her words will help you think about lamenting and motivate you to cry out to God. If you like to journal, write it down. If not, find a trusted friend, pastor or accountability partner with whom you can share your lament.
One reader said it well in her comments to the blog post:
“we have got to express it because how else can He turn our mourning into dancing. How else can He turn our ashes into beauty? We must give it to Him and let Him have His way with it. You know? It’s kind of like journaling–it gets everything out so that healing can begin. Talking/lamenting/crying out to God allows Him to heal you.”
After you read Melissa’s post, feel free to come back and share your thoughts and comments, or experience with lamenting to God. I believe there is healing power in lamenting to God, not complaining to God.
Copyright 2009 Shelley Grieser All Rights Reserved.
I know I read that long post fast, but the one thing that stood out to me was her comment on “never lammenting.” I find it amazing she has never lammented! Has she never had pain, doubt or insecurity in her life? Maybe she is bigger, stronger and/or wiser than myself…