But You, O Lord (Learning to Suffer Well)

A cry from a broken soul is one of the most disturbing sounds you will ever encounter. If you have lived for any period of time on this globe, I am certain you have experienced some level of suffering, whether great or small. Walking through pain, unfortunately, is a common theme of the fallen, broken world we experience today.

This is not a new 21st century issue. Suffering has existed since the formation of the Earth. The scriptures are packed with story after story of men and women enduring tremendous pain and trials, so remember dear friends, you are not alone.

If you are not currently in a season of suffering, this is your time of preparation, because at some point- it will come. If the words of this post find you in a valley of darkness so deep you feel you will never emerge again, this is your time to be reminded- the Light is coming. The texts are filled with wonderful words of encouragement, knowledge and direction regarding how to navigate our trials well. Today, I would like to study one such passage, where I believe we can learn much regarding how to push through some of our darkest seasons.

I doubt many of you thought about this particular chapter when I mentioned enduring trials. Most would have probably guessed a selection from the book of Job to be appropriate and although he is most famously known for the incredible heartache he faced, his story is but one of many. We are not told specifically what the writer of this passage was enduring, but it is clear from his words there was a struggle occurring within his life.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord and let my cry come to You. Hide not Your face from me in the day when I am in distress! Incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily.” (Psalm 102:1-2)

Immediately we are presented with a lament and a cry unto the Lord as we begin our study. The Psalmist is feeling alone and abandoned by God as he pours out his emotions. “Hide not Your face from me.” I love the raw truth behind those words. So often our perception within the middle of a storm is the Lord has left us and hopelessness can settle over our hearts if we are not careful.

This is when we must cling even more tightly to the truth of the Word and push out the lie of abandonment. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) God is big enough to handle the realness of the cries of our despair. Scream out and release your frustration, but keep truth bound tightly within your heart, never to let go.

Have you ever experienced a pain so intense it made you heart-sick to the point you could not eat? I have been there and so has our writer. “My heart is smitten like grass and withered, so that I forget to eat my food.” (Psalm 102:4) Deep sorrow prevents us from being able to reflect on little else. Most days it’s difficult to even raise yourself out of bed. A meal is the last thing your mind is focused on.

With the brain racing full of worry and anxiety, sleep can also become elusive. “I am sleepless and lie awake (mourning), like a bereaved sparrow alone on the housetop.” (Psalm 102:7)

It is clear from these declarations and others that we did not specifically discuss, the Psalmist is going through a very traumatic situation. Some of you can relate, I’m positive of that fact. Just as the writer of this chapter displays freedom in offering his despair to the Lord, most of us have no issue sharing our lament with God.

We fear

We doubt

We complain and have self-pity

Sometimes we don’t even fight it. We allow the emotions to completely take us over as if we have some right to stay there. That is the problem.

Not the feelings

Not the venting

Not even the doubts

It is the stillness. The refusal to move from your pain- or even try.

Verses 1-11 of Psalm 102 is the lament. The writer has stated his case before the Lord. He has pleaded and cried and sought God’s face. He made known to the Creator his sorrow and the battle he was engaged in. He poured out his soul to the only One he knew could help Him, to the only One Who sees every tear shed. He knows he has freedom to express himself in that way, but the Psalmist doesn’t stop there- and neither should we.

Verses 12-28 of Psalm 102 is the praise. After the display of honest grief, comes the “But’. It’s as if the writer is saying, “Yes, I just threw every emotion I had at your feet and I am poured out like water, BUT I am choosing to remember Who You are in the midst of my sorrow.”

What beautiful wisdom to be learned through this example! So many times we fail to make it to the “but’ in our despair; however, this is a mark of faith roots that run very deep. It’s not something that is easy, nor something we learn overnight. It takes time and practice to be able to praise in the middle of terrible tragedy. It is a faith I pray to achieve. One that says:

“I know what I just screamed at You is real. The pain is so heavy I can barely breathe and honesty is displayed in every tear streaming down my face. But, even in my valley and the dark of night, even in my doubt, fear, anxiety, chaos and emotion; I will declare what I know is true!”

I feel alone, but You, O Lord are with me wherever I go. (Joshua 1:9)

I am at my lowest, but You, O Lord are near to the broken hearted and save those crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

I don’t know if I can handle this burden, but You, O Lord will give me rest, for Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. (Mathew 11:28-30)

I am walking in death’s valley, but You, O Lord have Your rod and staff to bring me comfort. (Psalm 23:4)

I am in the middle of chaos and destruction, but You, O Lord are the Prince of Peace Who has overcome this world. (Isaiah 9:6, John 16:33)

I cannot even get off my bed, but You, O Lord are the lifter of my head. (Psalm 3:3)

Scripture doesn’t say we cannot lament, but it does instruct us not to sit down and hang out there. Declare the goodness of our Lord! Even if you are crying as you speak it, His Word does not return void and there is power in reminding the down trodden soul of hope.

The writer of Psalm 102 declares the rich, glory of the Lord more than he pours out his despair. You may not be in a place mentally where you can do that yet, but start somewhere. Even the honest cry of “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24) brings honor to our Savior and allows the smallest sliver of Light into the dark prison of the broken spirit.

I will leave you with the chorus of a song by one of my favorite worship leaders. Steffany Gretzinger in her song “Oxygen” writes:

Sometimes my very best

Is only my weakest yes

You see strength in every movement

Baby steps and short breaths

Anything is progress

You sustain my every moment

Dear friends, even the smallest movement out of lament and into praise is progress. Give it a try.