Road Warriors: Jeremiah—A Message of Survival - Monday


Lamentations 3:19-20
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. (NIV)


When I get the chance to write devos, I usually like to start off a little bit peppy—with a clever quote or a funny story. But this week’s devos follow a theme that is difficult to feel very upbeat about. Drawing from the book of Lamentations, there’s not much that I can muster up to make an intro here sound sunny or happy or silly… and to be honest, I don’t think that’s necessary to begin the conversation.

The way that I’d like to start today, before we get into the rest of the week, is simply to acknowledge the one thing that all humans have in common: suffering and pain. I wouldn’t dream of saying that we’ve all felt the SAME kind of suffering and pain (it would be foolish to pretend that the death of a loved one is the same kind of pain as a broken arm), but we have all felt SOME kind of suffering and pain. Job loss, natural disaster, death of loved ones, chronic pain or debilitating illness, personal betrayals, financial hardship, moral failings―if you live out a normal life span, you will at some point experience at least one of these, if not more. One author said, “Human life is fatally fragile.”

The prophet Jeremiah knew this. Often referred to as “the weeping prophet,” his ministry was done during what was probably the most painful period in early Jewish history. Not only did he watch God’s people suffer tremendously, he also personally endured great pain, and he lamented about it (read the verse above). 

I think that sometimes in Christian circles, we either feel like we can’t express our pain to God, or we try to quiet others when they show difficult emotions, citing a lack of faith or lack of gratitude for what God has done.

But it is not “unChristian-ly” to lament. In fact, it is very Christian-ly TO lament. It is perfectly alright to struggle when you are in the midst of suffering. Sometimes, the hard path to joy and intimacy with God is paved by crying out like Jeremiah did. God included those Lamentations (and several of the Psalms) in the Bible because He wanted to show us that it’s okay to be shouting in our pain, as long as we shout to Him.


Monday’s Reflection

The Bible actually has a lot to say about suffering. God’s Word is truth for us in EVERY season and emotion of life, so if you are struggling today, consider praying through one of these passages and sharing your heart (bruises and all) with the Lord.


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Road Warriors: Jeremiah—A Message of Survival - Tuesday

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Road Warriors: Isaiah—A Message of Redemption - Friday