"I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies."--Psalm 6:6-7(NLT)
The Bible describes King David as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). Could it be that he was a man after God's own largely due to his emotional honesty, even in the face of great opposition? Think about it. It did not matter if David was sad, angry, repentant, scared, weary, worried, anxious, or overwhelmed--because he had cultivated a relationship with God over time (through prayer, praise, and worship), he understood the importance of emotional honesty. Psalm 6 is a perfect example. Can you get more honest than, "I'm worn out from sobbing"? David's is describing the gut-wrenching "ugly" cry!
We are very proficient at wearing masks and putting on a good façade, but we need not do that with God. He know us from the inside-out (Psalm 139:1-4). When we withhold our hearts from the Father, we miss out on experiencing his peace, joy, comfort, and reassurance. We can also become prone to even more emotional distress and physical maladies.
If emotional honesty before God seems challenging or difficult. Consider King David. He was not perfect. He came from an imperfect family. He was born out of wedlock (Psalm 51:5). He was disregarded by his father (I Samuel 16). There was evidence of sibling rivalry (I Samuel 17:38). He was berated by a giant (I Samuel 17:42-44). He was an adulterer (2 Samuel 11). He was the object of great hatred and envy by King Saul (I Samuel 18). And, his own son, Absalom usurped his throne (2 Samuel 15). David experienced much hurt and brokenness in his life, but God delivered him every time (Psalm 34:19 and 37:25) because of his decision to be emotionally honest.
Scriptural References:
We are very proficient at wearing masks and putting on a good façade, but we need not do that with God. He know us from the inside-out (Psalm 139:1-4). When we withhold our hearts from the Father, we miss out on experiencing his peace, joy, comfort, and reassurance. We can also become prone to even more emotional distress and physical maladies.
If emotional honesty before God seems challenging or difficult. Consider King David. He was not perfect. He came from an imperfect family. He was born out of wedlock (Psalm 51:5). He was disregarded by his father (I Samuel 16). There was evidence of sibling rivalry (I Samuel 17:38). He was berated by a giant (I Samuel 17:42-44). He was an adulterer (2 Samuel 11). He was the object of great hatred and envy by King Saul (I Samuel 18). And, his own son, Absalom usurped his throne (2 Samuel 15). David experienced much hurt and brokenness in his life, but God delivered him every time (Psalm 34:19 and 37:25) because of his decision to be emotionally honest.
Scriptural References:
- Psalm 3
- Psalm 31
- Psalm 57
- Psalm 61
- Psalm 91
