” . . . the discipline of lament requires going backward with God to process our pain, and it asks us to be honest about our pain in the present.”- Esther Fleece
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
In Chapter 5 (“Permission to Lament”) of No More Faking Fine, Esther Fleece notes that lament brought her to her knees in a whole new way. Scripture normalized her pain. Also, Scripture promised she no longer needed to be paralyzed in it. As a result, Esther began to move forward. Hence, when Esther got real with God in prayer, He began to get very real with her.
For many years Esther considered Jeremiah 29:11 her favorite verse. However, her broken past confused her. She saw no “divine plan” for her life, let alone a good plan. In fact, many times Esther felt taunted by God.
Yet, Esther notes, God goes to great lengths to repair a cracked foundation in our faith. For if we misunderstand God, we can miss Him completely.
Thus, Esther’s fresh look at Jeremiah 29:11 transformed her. She observes that the Hebrew word for “plans”, machashabah, literally means thoughts or ideas. In other words, God’s thoughts toward you are infinitely greater than anything you’d possibly imagine on your own. Furthermore, God’s thoughts toward you remain the real constant, despite past, present, or future circumstances.
Therefore, rather than fixating on the plans for your life, concentrate on knowing God’s thoughts toward you. Finally, you need not try to make something happen. Instead, God works in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him.
Today’s question: How have you implemented the discipline of lament? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Secure in God’s love for us”
