“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again-my Savior and my God!
Psalms 42:5 (NLT)
Disappointment is a part of life but it is a part of life that we don’t talk about enough or at all. As Women we often suppress a range of emotions so that we can be given the title of “the strong one.” Let’s be clear, there is no award for being the “most emotionally detached” and as Believers we should give our permission to feel. Why? We serve a God who is already well acquainted with hardships, grief, despair, and a range of other emotions that we experience today (Isaiah 53:3). He already knows what we are experiencing but He is waiting for us to voice how we are feeling in prayer. We can’t heal if we continue to conceal our disappointment, hurt, or pain.
Throughout the Book of Psalms David experiences a range of emotions as a result of a series of unthinkable circumstances that took place over the course of his life. David’s emotional state was indeed a roller coaster. It seemed that he was always in a constant state of lament. I think we would be too if we found ourselves literally running for our lives. David, however, cried out to God throughout the Psalms. He didn’t suppress his emotions. He acknowledged how he really felt. At the same time, David also gave himself permission to feel hopeful. He knew that no matter what, the Lord would turn every situation around in his favor. This is why he could praise God in the midst of his circumstances.
Through David’s example we can learn that hope can exist in dark places. We can also learn the importance of giving a voice to our emotions without giving into them. In no way will I ever diminish anything that you may be experiencing or feeling at this time in your life. I do, however, want you to know that you have a Heavenly Father that loves you right where you are. Cry out to Him in prayer. He wants to heal every wound (Psalms 147:3). He can handle our transparency and we can be completely vulnerable with Him. He will bring light to every dark place and He will give you a peace that you can feel that will overshadow all doubt.
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