It’s great to see you at the Bible Study Cafe™ where we study, connect, and grow.  As we learned in Extraordinary Power of Praise, Becky Harling has a “weeping couch” in her home. It is the place where she pours out her heart to the Lord. I pour out my heart to the Lord in my office with a distressed and worn leather chair. It feels safe and I enjoy the solitude with Him. Sometimes I get up at 3 am to pray. The morning darkness is very still and peace-filled.

We talked about this last week at the Bible Cafe University via Zoom. Some of us were raised to be “seen but not heard.” So we learned NOT to express emotions, good or bad. Weeping and anger were not tolerated in our childhood homes.

Then I meet Jesus inside my heart, and through the Bible Psalms, I learned it’s OKAY not to be okay! It’s okay to feel anger when I give that over to God for healing. It’s okay to feel sadness when I give that over to God for healing. Its OKAY!!

If you create a prayer closet, weeping room, or sanctuary in your home what would it look like? What necessities would you put there? I would have my Bible, verses for specific themes, instrumental music, a box of tissue, and a place to write down my thoughts.

Some of my friends like to wear a mantle or shawl when they pray. And some of my friends like to have a candle or essential oils when they pray.

At the Sunday sermon yesterday, my pastor said do NOT bring digital Bibles when you are spending prayer time with God. Use a PRINT Bible because tablets and phones interrupt you.

According to Becky Harling, a lament is a prayer to God where we vocalize our protests and ask “Where are you, God?” and “Why did you allow this?” How do you feel about lamenting prayers? While I understand the value in this, I don’t ask “Where are you God” because I am 100% certain He is beside me. Always.

Rarely and on extreme occasions (like when two family members died the same week) I will ask “Why?” and it seems He gives an immediate and comforting answer!

I think it’s good that the Bible instructs the value of lamenting, and removes the Pharisee from the conversation. It’s OKAY to lament, as long as it leads us towards (not away) from the heart of God. If we are falling away, we need to connect with a local church pastor or counselor for help and “talk it out” with a wise person.

Lamenting should never be an excuse for a month-long pity party! If we do that, we have invited the enemy of God to the banquet table. And, Lamenting and grieving are not the same things. Don’t confuse them.

According to Psalm 3, we can worship through anger by lamenting, praying, yielding, and looking for the heart of Jesus. Not the person or things that make you angry. In Psalms, we see this demonstrated many times. First the lament, then the praise. We don’t see David or Moses “stuffing” the emotions.

But if anyone feels their anger is beyond repair…go see a counselor and work it out in a safe place! You were not fearfully and wonderfully designed for a life of constant anger. Read your Bible and you will know the Truth…. seek wisdom from a professional who can help you rid yourself of lingering anger. It’s NOT yours to carry.

The way we process emotions might be rooted in childhood, environment, and culture. By reading Psalms, we are instructed HOW to process emotions through God’s Word.

Reading Proverbs 29:11, which one are you, the fool or the wise?

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11 NIV

In Psalm 51:12 David asks the Lord to restore joy. What Fruit of the Spirit do you need to be restored in your life?

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. (NLT)

Pray and ask God’s will over your life. Seek the Fruit of the Spirit.

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Christine Abraham writes for the Bible Cafe™ community. Learn about living by the Fruit of the Spirit as you enjoy her online Bible studies. Join Christine at the Bible Cafe™ University for weekly Bible teaching.