Getting Honest With God: Learn the 4 Practices of LamentSample

Day # 5: Eventual Praise

Praying through pain, protest, and petition turns you towards praise. But praise is not an immediate reality. Rather, lament puts you on a pathway heading in that direction. In other words, Scripture does not rush you toward happiness. Lament enables you to turn to the Lord—to weep, to wrestle, to worship—even when praise feels far away. And God patiently waits for you and promises that joy will eventually return.

For you, this may be liberating. It might help you to know that you don’t have to force resolution or fake happiness before it has occurred. It’s okay to linger, to be sad, and to wait until the Lord softens the edges of your sorrow. Or, on the flip side, you might be scared by this. You hate waiting and lingering too much in sadness. But while lament invites you to bravely face the darkness and wait for the Lord, you are also promised that sorrow will not have the last word.

Psalm 126 holds out this promise, which is offered to you through lament. It’s a communal prayer that remembers God’s past mercies, asking him to restore joy again. Read the prayer and reflect on the eventual praise that’s offered through lament.

Reflection Questions

Why is it hard when suffering lingers and praise feels far away?

Why is it helpful to know that praise is promised to come eventually but not forced immediately?

How does the promise of eventual praise allow you to press into present sorrow?

For more help in getting honest with God, check out Just Be Honest: How to Worship through Tears and Pray without Pretending by Clint Watkins.