In my re-attempt to read the books of the Old Testament that I didn't get to when I was going to read the Bible from cover to cover two years ago, I stumbled across this passage today. It seemed to accurately portray where I am right now regarding my general frustrations with everything, yet realizing that I am still loved more than I realize by the Creator of my Soul.
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him.
Let him bury his face in the dust—
there may yet be hope.
Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.
For men are not cast off
by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men.
To crush underfoot
all prisoners in the land,
to deny a man his rights
before the Most High,
to deprive a man of justice—
would not the Lord see such things?
Who can speak and have it happen
if the Lord has not decreed it?
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that both calamities and good things come?
Why should any living man complain
when punished for his sins?
Lamentations 3:19-39
I think the passage speaks for itself, but I just wanted to note that it includes all the different ways we feel during times of tribulations, but puts it in a Godly perspective (by stanzas): God is faithful to us during times when we can easily understand, as God's love grows more patient as our love becomes lazy, we enter a tribulation, we feel hopeless and grow angry at God, God sees our struggle, and we come back to understanding that discipline for our sins is another loving way we grow closer to God.
Maybe this isn't my most well put together entry because I don't think there is a way in words to express how I feel, but I pray this can be an encouragement for anyone struggling like I am to not give up the good fight and still know that God is still looking out for our best interests.
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