Learning to Lament, April 17
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“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’” (Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV).
When living with cancer, every day presents new challenges—chemotherapy, fatigue, uncertainty, setbacks, and more. Reasons for complaining abound. But each day also carries the promise of God’s presence and His loving help. His acts of compassion are new every morning.
Today’s Bible verses come from the book of Lamentations. A lament is a passionate expression of deep grief, sorrow, regret, or disappointment. Death, loss, suffering, or sicknesses like cancer can lead us to lament.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote Lamentations. Since his youth, he spoke God’s Word to God’s people, his fellow Israelites. He revealed their disobedience, warned them of its consequences, and called them to return to God and be faithful. He assured them of God’s love, willingness to forgive, and desire to bless them.
Despite Jeremiah’s efforts, Israel remained unfaithful to God. As a result, their country was ultimately destroyed by a foreign army. Of those who survived, most were forced from their homes into exile in a foreign land.
In Lamentations, Jeremiah pours out his deep grief and sorrow over the invasion of his homeland, which he sees as a consequence of his peoples’ disobedience. He grieves not just for the people, but for himself, too. His warnings have proved futile. He feels abandoned, forgotten, far from God, and even punished by God. He does not know what to do or which way to turn. Terror and bitterness have overcome him. He cries out to God, but his prayers seem to be blocked.
Jeremiah pours out his grief to God. At the point of giving up, he remembers God’s faithfulness. In the middle of the great suffering, he declares, “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’” (Lamentations 3:22-24).
Jeremiah remembers God’s goodness. God loves him greatly. He and his fellow survivors remained alive only because of God’s great love. Every day, God, in His great faithfulness, continued to show them new compassion. God was more than enough and completely trustworthy.
Jeremiah reminds us how important it is to lament, especially when experiencing something as awful as cancer. Pretending everything is ok is the worst thing you can do and the least helpful. Whatever happens, don’t pretend. Lament! In every difficult circumstance, honestly and passionately express your feelings to God.
Sharing your deep grief, sorrow, regret, or disappointment with someone, even Jesus, can be frightening and overwhelming. Ask God to help you take that leap of faith.
When you lament, amazing things happen. As you give God your grief, you experience His goodness. As you pour out your sorrow, you encounter the Savior. When you tell God you feel abandoned, He draws closer than ever. As you complain, God gives new compassions … every morning.
Pray: Lord, teach me how to lament. Receive my hurt, disappointment, sorrow, grief, and every emotion. Help me be real with You. Remind me of Your great faithfulness and help me see Your new compassions every day. Amen.
Your Turn: Today, offer a prayer of lament to God. Share with your loving Savior your deep grief, sorrow, regret, or disappointment. Next, listen to the famous hymn, “Great is Your Faithfulness,” inspired by today’s Bible verse.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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