by Mark Vroegop
Have you ever wondered what people mean when in the midst of your deepest, darkest days, they utter this phrase: "Oh, just trust God"?
I have.
I find myself almost getting angry and wanting to shout, "HOW. AM. I. SUPPOSED. TO. WALK. THAT. OUT. ?!?!?!?" Especially when you pray and nothing in your situation changes and sometimes the pain or disappointment even deepens.
This book teaches you how to do exactly that.
Mr. Vroegop is no stranger to walking through dark days and wading through hurt this so oppressive it feels like you can't draw in a deep breath. And here is what he says:
"...every lament is a prayer. A statement of faith. Lament is the honest cry of a hurting heart wrestling with the paradox of pain and the promise of God's goodness." pg. 26
He then goes on the say that Lament usually follows a four-step process:
1- your address to God
2 - your complaint
3 - your request
4 - your expression of trust and/or praise
He uses the imprecatory Psalms and the book of Lamentations to teach you, walk you through, learning to lament in a biblical, God-honoring way.
My favorite moment in the book came on page 74, where Mr. Vroegop said this:
"Lament helps us to practice active patience. Trust looks like talking to God, sharing our complaints, seeking God's help, and then recommitting ourselves to believe in who God is and what He has done - even as the trial continues."
EVEN as the trial continues.
Finally, someone explained how to walk out this tension of trusting God and yet still acknowledging that the hurt or disappointment or unfairness or loss...whatever the deep pain is - that that continues.
HIGHLY recommend this book!!
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