Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament

by Mark Vroegop

Finding an explanation or a quick solution for grief, while an admirable goal, can circumvent the opportunity afforded in lament—to give a person permission to wrestle with sorrow instead of rushing to end it. Walking through sorrow without understanding and embracing the God-given song of lament can stunt the grieving process.

Lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and trusting in God’s sovereignty.

Without hope in God’s deliverance and the conviction that he is all-powerful, there would be no reason to lament when pain invaded our lives.

Therefore, lament is rooted in what we believe. It is a prayer loaded with theology.

Yet means that I choose to keep asking God for help, to cry out to him for my needs, even when the pain of life is raw. Yet reminds us that sorrow doesn’t have to yield before we ask God for help. Part of the grace of lament is the way it invites us to pray boldly even when we are bruised badly.

Lament gives us language for talking to God about unfairness, abuse, and hidden mistreatment. We can boldly call upon God to act for the sake of justice.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head!

On this side of the cross we have a real advantage we need to embrace. We know that the ultimate lament cry—“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1)—led to the greatest moment of redemption.

But lament helps us to rehearse biblical truth so hope will return. Despite what you see, despite what you feel, despite what you think, lament can be a supply of grace as you affirm that God’s mercies are new every day.

Lament not only mourns the brokenness of suffering; it also looks expectantly toward what is yet to come. Lamentations 3:31–32 is filled with great hope and encouragement: For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

There’s a gap in your soul that no mere human can fill. Try to have a friend play that role, and disappointment is sure to follow. Try to occupy that space in someone else’s heart, and you’ll be frustrated. Treating other people or ourselves like saviors is a subtle form of idolatry because our trust should rest in God alone.