Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- November 25, 2011
“I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble.” Psalm 142:2
A heavy heart needs an outlet to express fears and frustrations. If this option is absent there is a loss of perspective and an extended stay in pain. It may be the weight of leadership sapping your joy and testing your trust. The death of a loved one may have sent you into a downward spiral of loneliness and loathing. Maybe you feel unappreciated and ignored to the point of painful rejection. Troubles need a trusted and safe outlet.
It is in these moments of madness that we need a safe place to share our soul. The more we bring our complaints before Christ, the less we will complain before men. We have permission to complain to God, but not about God. He collates our complaints and files them in our folder of faith. Christ patiently hears our protests like a caring and just judge.
“I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul” (Job 10:1).
Your heavenly Father wants to hear your troubles, not for His enlightenment, but for your engagement with Him. You reveal troubles to God, not that He may see them, but that you may see Him. Your trust in the Lord triumphs over troubles, as you proceed in the process of prayer. Persevere in prayer and you will pronounce your troubles insignificant in comparison to intimacy with Christ.
You will avoid the troubles that come with complaining to people, if you first complain to Christ. Don’t hold back because your complaint to Christ is your relief and recognition of Him. Christ’s care and love will move you from chronic complaining to authentic thanksgiving. Offer your complaints as a sacrifice to Christ, and He will burn away the dross of fear and anger, and replace them with His gift of peace and joy.
“Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy” (Psalm 64:1).
Indeed, look to the Lord as you linger in uncertain days. It is better to vent your frustrations to your heavenly Father, than for your soul to stew in bitterness. Complaints to Christ are your opportunity to come clean in your heart and to harness heaven’s hope. He listens, He loves, He understands, He consoles, He encourages and He gives grace. Pour out your heart to Him and He will fill your heart with His Holy Spirit’s comfort.
Jesus experienced this tension, “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39, NKJV).
What complaints do I need to bring before Christ, and trust Him instead of men?
Related Readings: Job 7:13; 23:2; Jeremiah 12:1; Habakkuk 1:12; Mark 15:34
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