In today’s post, Max Lucado (You’ll Get Through This) presents the third way to open our souls to God’s presence.
3. Pray your pain out. As Pastor Lucado asserts: “It’s time for tenacious, honest prayers.” Let God know how you feel, and don’t hold anything back. Christine Anderson expands on this concept in “Questions for Reflection” at the end of You’ll Get Through This:
“Resist the temptation to hid or withhold the truth about your thoughts and feelings. Bring the full weight of your hurts, questions, and disappointments to God.”
Max goes on to stress the importance of open and continued dialogue with God when he states that it is “better to shake a fist at God than to turn your back on him.” Turning our back on God only perpetuates our isolation, resentment, and unforgiving attitude. St. Augustine captured the dangers of wallowing in our negative thoughts and emotions in Sermons on the Liturgical Seasons:
“How deep in the deep are they who do not cry out of the deep.”
Today’s question (from Christine Anderson): What emotions does this situation ( in our case, our ministry downsizing or vocation loss) stir in you- about others, yourself, and God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Absorbing God’s presence- Part 4”
