The Way of Lament: A Biblical Approach to God in Times of Pain

Trouble is Trouble, No Matter How You Look at It.Sometimes trouble comes seemingly out of nowhere – a bad report fromthe doctor, a serious accident or some unexpected turn of events that leaves us feeling shocked, panicky and powerless.Like most pastors, I can clearly recall moments when I have prayed with parents over the death of their child, and also when I have comforted young children in the loss of a parent. My own daughter’s life once hung in the balance after a car accident. Dreadful diseases, harsh betrayals and terrible disasters can strike out of a blue sky and there is no apparent rhyme or reason to them.There are other times – let’s be honest - when trouble comes upon us because we have behaved badly and not used godly wisdom. These are the times when the theme tune to our lives is “I Did It My Way.” You don’t have to read far in the Book of Proverbs before you realise that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25).The appropriate, biblical approach to God in times of pain – either pain of our own making or pain from the chaos of a fallen world – is the Way of Lament.