Sorrow, Anger, Depression – Whatever you’re going through, There’s A Psalm For That!

As Christians, sometimes I worry we are under the impression that we have to “have it all together” or at the very least we have to appear like we do. The truth is that we are broken and messy in just about every way. We don’t have to just cover up the flaws, or pack in the sorrow, hurt, anger and disappointment that comes with life. God gave us such an incredible resource in the Bible as a whole, and particularly in the Psalms on how to walk through your emotions in a healthy, God honoring way.

Sorrow

By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? Psalm 137:1,4

I think it’s safe to say that the author of this psalm knew their share of sorrow and trouble. They ask such an honest question that we all to often shy away from in our Christian culture today: How can we praise God, even in this? This passage is not saying that we can’t possibly sing the Lord’s song, or that God isn’t good, it is simply acknowledging the struggle, and giving space to contemplate how best to bring God glory.