Psalm 80:1-7

“O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?” vs. 4

Often Christians are advised to “look on the bright side,” to remember that “all things work together for good,” and that “there is a purpose for everything.” Of course this is all fine advice, but the truth is that sometimes we don’t feel like looking on the bright side. We’d rather vent our deep frustrations with complaints to God and anyone else we think would be willing to listen. For some those feelings are close to the surface during these middle days of Advent. There’s so much talk of happy holidays and a constant barrage of merriness on social media, and some days it’s too much to bear. Feelings of sadness and injustice that we can usually mask break through the thin veneer of self-control, and we give voice to both self-pity and righteous indignation. There’s certainly nothing wrong with such outbursts, as can easily be seen from reading the psalms, and it’s good to know that God can handle our complaints, even when we’ve worn out our families and friends. In the long run openness is always better than stifling, and the honest expression of feelings will ultimately be rewarded with a smile from God, and the restoration of joy. It might take longer than we like and sometimes it might feel like the frustrations are without end, but count on it! A new day will dawn and darkness will be no more.

Thought for the Day: What shape does my complaining take?