Good Grief Part 4: Learning to Lament in LamentationsНамуна

FEEL THE WEIGHT

Sometimes the losses we grieve are unexpected and unexplainable: the tragic accident, the dreadful diagnosis. Sometimes they are so very personal, and their turmoil is hidden deep in our hearts: a betrayal of trust or an unrealized dream. But the Book of Lamentations grants a look at another kind of situation; written to process the all-encompassing grief of the nation of Israel after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., this collection of poems laments the catastrophic consequences of their longstanding rebellion against their covenant with God.

Like all scripture, this book serves both then and now purposes – it gave the people of that time a framework for mourning in the midst of an incredibly long and difficult season, but it also provides instruction for those who came after, including us. While it may be difficult to read, there is much to learn about lament and faith by staying engaged through the entire book.

The writer of Lamentations spends a lot of time looking around at the devastation and giving voice to the pain of all that had happened. It may seem excessive or repetitive, but the depth and breadth of his descriptions are actually a gift. They force us to slow down and feel the oppressive weight of the situation. They memorialize the moment. The poems represent the original sorrow of the Israelites well, but they also serve as a powerful reminder to the generations that follow. Clearly and honestly remembering mistakes of the past, and the consequences they brought, can help us avoid following the same paths. Without such potent recollections, it becomes far too easy to gloss over history and minimize the importance of its lessons.

Ask Yourself:

- When has remembering a past mistake helped you to make a better decision going forward?

- How can this type of instructive reflection be valuable in your family, your church, or your community?

Pause to Pray: Father God, help me to slow down today and be fully present. Teach me to take time to embrace the good and the hard and to look for your hand in both. Help me to memorialize important moments and learn all that you desire to teach me...

Living Lament: Grab your journal and take some time to feel the weight of a loss you have experienced recently and express it on paper. It doesn’t have to be huge or life-altering to hold value in this place. Practicing lament in small losses helps us develop a language and method for facing much harder situations that may come in the future.