Positive Negativity

There have been times in my life when I have been so “down” that I wonder where God is; I cry. I hurt. I hide. I’m sad. I seclude myself. I feel pain. But, I feel like it’s something bad – like, it’s wrong for me to feel this way. But look at this … “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.” “be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels” “My strength is dried up like potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death” “Deliver my soul from the sword” The man after God’s own heart struggled with feelings of despair. Feelings of loneliness. All throughout the Psalms David talks about his sins, feeling forsaken, needing strength, wanting refuge, mentions his enemies, sorrows, etc. His “sorrow is continually before him.” Is it wrong to have feelings of sadness? Are there times when we are in the Word and on our knees daily, but still feel despondent? Maybe the important part is not staying down, but getting back up. Sometimes we have to hit the bottom so we can push back up. Psalm 22 was an obvious “down” time in David’s life. But Psalm 22 is followed by Psalm 23 where God “restores his soul.” In Psalm 40, he’s brought up from the miry clay and his feet are placed on a solid rock … he has a new song in his heart. It’s okay to feel pain, to hurt, to feel sadness. Even Jesus Christ pleaded with his Father to take the cup from Him. Asked Him why He had forsaken Him. Jesus wept. He felt sadness. Aren’t we to be Christ-like? Should we NOT feel pain? Pain is a gift from God. It helps us remember and helps us grow. IT’S OKAY!!! It’s okay to have down times. I’m going to embrace pain, sadness, hurt, tears … Embracing them, through my tears, because it’s the pressure that makes an invaluable piece of coal into a precious diamond.