Lament!

I'd like to make a strong case for complaint as a spiritual virtue. There is something cathartic when you can say, "This did not go well. I am not pleased. Everyone needs to do better." Complaining allows us to see that the world is not as it should be. Complaining to God allows us to locate ourselves in a situation and figure out where God should be. When we say to God, “I am tired of being sick. I am tired of people not listening to me. I am angry that this is happening. Where are you?” Then we might find that God shows up in surprising ways—when a friend knows a friend, when someone

brings you dinner, when the doctor finally listens. Your complaints might help you figure out the next right step or just help you get it all out. Either way, God can handle your complaints. God will listen.

There are common phrases that are said to people who are going through a difficult

situation. “You’re in my thoughts and prayers” or “God works all things for the good of those who love him.” What type of responses have you heard (or said to friends) when bad things are happening?

When you are going through a difficult time, how does it make you feel when you hear these typical kinds of responses?