Overwhelmed? Wanna Get Away?
Southwest Airlines has a clever advertising campaign that capitalizes on our shared need for a vacation from all the worries, stress and troubles of life. This phrase has worked so well because the overwhelming answer to their question is ... YES… I do wanna get away!
Ever find yourself saying…
I just want to get in my car and drive away from all this.
If I was a kid, I’d pack my suitcase and run away from home.
I just want to turn my phone off and hide for a few days until things get better.
All of us face times of conflict, stress, worry, and pressure. We all have different coping strategies to get through it. For instance, I prefer overeating and entertainment as ways to forget about all the troubles.
The Degree of Difficulty of Life is Very High.
This season for me has been one of prayer and intercession for others.
- I have multiple friends fighting cancer, and others awaiting diagnosis or treatment.
- Almost every week one or two people I know are having surgery of some kind.
- There are relational challenges and potential for misunderstanding that surround me.
- I feel and see political dissonance and stress.
- I am becoming more aware of the values that I hold and realize more quickly when they are being violated.
- ... and the list goes on ...
Learning to Lament
There is a part of me that relates to David as he writes Psalm 13. Here's how The Message paraphrases this Psalm.
A David Psalm
1-2 Long enough, God -- you've ignored me long enough. I've looked at the back of your head long enough. Long enough. I've carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me.
3-4 Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, So no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face.
These first four verses describe how I feel these days.
I’ve been feeling exasperated by the complexity of life.
I long for simpler days where the whole world doesn’t feel like it’s being torn apart.
I get overwhelmed by the volatility of what happens in the economy, news, and politics. There is a sense of heaviness in how people address one another in these times.
I am grieved by the complete vacuum of honor in our culture.
It makes me nervous when I get a glimpse of the uncertainty of the future, and when I sense the ambiguity in others, the confusion they carry around their identity, calling and destiny – it’s tempting to jump in the car, and never come back.
That would work, except wherever my car took me, the same challenges would be waiting for me there. Packing my suitcase and running away from my problems isn’t a viable solution.
Lament Is Healthy.
Sometimes going up on a big rock and yelling out your frustrations is really a good idea, because Lament is healthy.
Here in Psalm 13, David is painfully honest in letting out his frustration and emotion. God is not disappointed in David. I believe He is proud of him for processing his emotions in this way. David is called the man after God’s own heart.
These four verses model lament – a grieving of our hearts over what is wrong in the world, and giving a name to the struggle of our hearts. In biblical lament, there is a turning to God in our pain instead of blaming God or simply complaining. As we pour out our hearts, it’s acceptable to tell God that you don’t understand what His plan is, and asking Him the WHY questions.
This expression of grief is so healthy because it allows us to put into words our deep disappointments, pain, and struggle. As soon as we name something it generally loses its power over us. Biblical lament is best when it is done in community. This is when others enter into your pain with you and help you name the emotions you are wrestling with and bring biblical truth to the table as well.
When my friends join me in lament, there is an accountability and hope that begins to spring up through their perspective, prayers and love. When I realize I don’t have to face really hard stuff alone, I have more faith that I will get through it.
Beware of Subtle Denial and Empty Hope.
The other way that I try to deal with the overwhelming amount of burdens is to sit still and long for the day when everything is solved. Some of us have lived with an expectation that someday, all these troubles are going to pass and then it will be smooth sailing.
- When I graduate, then things will be better…
- When I find that special someone, then things will all come together…
- When I get a better job, then I’ll be happy…
- When we have children, then I’ll finally be fulfilled…
- When we retire, then life will be less stressful…
This brand of subtle denial fails to fully lament the difficulties of today because it pushes pain aside in favor of longing for a day that will never come this side of heaven. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “you will have trouble in this world…” There will be pain and struggle for our days on the earth. When we become followers of Jesus, we will actually encounter more pain and hardship as we live counter culture.
There is a Longing for Heaven
There is a longing in our hearts for a life free from conflict, pressure, and stress. I believe our hearts are wired for this longing because it a longing for heaven. Hebrews 11 talks about the men and women of faith who were “longing for a better country – a heavenly one.”
So, while we long for heaven, on this earth there is hope for Jesus to work on our behalf. In John 16:33 Jesus finishes with the hopeful statement, “but take heart, I have overcome the world.” Jesus is still king over a sin-scarred world that is filled with pain. He is still able to bring miracles, answers to prayer, perfect gifts onto the scene in these days. Jesus is working in and through us, and He has prepared us to partner with Him by dreaming up good things for us to do for others that will be a blessing (Eph. 2:10).
In the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray, he tells us to pray for things to be “on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus wants us to invite Him to bring the culture and atmosphere of heaven to earth through our prayers. Even during very difficult days, Jesus wants to sooth pain, heal wounds, invade the atmosphere and bring love, joy, peace and meaning.
Our Safe Place
The last two verses of Psalm 13 show what David decides to do in light of how overwhelmed he is with the pain and circumstances of the world.
5-6 I've thrown myself headlong into your arms -- I'm celebrating your rescue. I'm singing at the top of my lungs, I'm so full of answered prayers.
David chooses to throw himself into the arms of his God! He runs to his safe place – to the God he calls “a refuge, strength and strong tower.” So, instead of running away from pain, He runs to God and verbalizes the pain in lamenting prayer.
The man after God’s own heart also chooses to celebrate his rescue from difficult circumstances. He is recognizing what God has already done to help and believing that whatever God starts He always finishes. So, even as David is struggling with what he is surrounded by, he is celebrating that God is going to come through.
This celebration bubbles over into songs of praise to God. There is something that reminds us of how powerful God is when we sing songs about what He has done before. Praise and worship should reorient us to realizing His power, love and reign over all things. This helps us worry less knowing our good good Father is in charge of all things. This paraphrase ends with David dwelling on what God has already done specifically in answering prayer.
The Psalm 13 Response and Anam Cara
So the next time you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t jump in the car to drive away from your problems – try the Psalm 13 response.
- Meet with a friend you trust.
- Spill your guts on what’s bothering you.
- Pray together – honestly telling God how you are feeling, inviting Him into things.
- Allow your friend to speak into the situation about what is still true about God.
- Pray a prayer of faith, thanking God for His help even before it’s arrived.
This is what the Celtic Christians would say an anam cara, a soul friend, is for. Who is your soul friend with whom you can walk this out? Who do you do this for?
My Prayer
Jesus, thank you that we can run to you when we are overwhelmed.Come and heal our wounds, give us your perspective and strength in these days.Bring to mind the soul friend that I can trust to walk with me.Highlight who I can be a good friend to, in encouraging, listening and praying for them.Thank you for the hope and good news that you have overcome the world!Amen.
I look forward to seeing you next Sunday at our Worship Service in the Dome at 10:00 a.m.
You can also live stream our service on Facebook and YouTube at 10:00 a.m.
If you missed last week's message, "The Big Picture #10- The Gospels, It Means Good News", click here.
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Citations: Psalm 13:1–6 (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language)
