“On the other side of lament, there is life.”- Esther Fleece
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”- Luke 1:19
In Chapter 11 (“Hope Beyond Lament”), the concluding chapter of No More Faking Fine, Esther shares her discovery that moving forward from lament to healing always requires rest. Furthermore, this process:
- doesn’t happen overnight
- is intentional, not accidental
- requires sleep, slowing down, and stillness
Also, Ms. Fleece stresses, God uses every season of life to bring us closer to Him. Consequently, that includes our seasons of resting and waiting in the presence of God. In addition, God intends rest to revive and refresh us, enabling us to continue on our healing journey. Ultimately, we invite others into our healing journey as well.
However, although you’re trading your laments for something new, it’s unlikely you know what your “new” looks like. Furthermore, it’s unlikely you know what God’s planned next for you. Yet, God asks you to trust Him and take the next step. As a result, Esther explains:
“Sometimes God gives us grace to rest, and sometimes He gives us grace to enter back in, to take land back for Him, and to advance the gospel outside of our comfort zone. . . . Just like it took faith to step into the journey of lament, it would now take faith to rise up out of lament into something new.”
In conclusion, Ms. Fleece notes that as God begins our healing process, He want us to start dreaming again. What did God create you to do?
Today’s question: What have you discovered lies on the other side of lament? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A vow of praise- in the midst of uncertainty
