Module 4: Bringing Pain to the Cross

REFLECT & RESPOND

Journal Exercise #1

Think about the pain you are carrying today. What is hurting you now? Are you carrying this burden alone?

If you have not yet downloaded and printed your Module 4 journal, you can download it now.

LAMENTING

Lamenting is approaching God with our pain and suffering. But how can we do this? God has given us a way. View the video below to learn how.

LAMENTS

Laments can have seven parts:

Not all parts are present in each lament, and they are not always in the same order.

A COMPLAINT OR REASON FOR GRIEF

Laments allow a person to fully express their grief and even accuse God. This is often, but not always, followed by a statement of trust in God. This combination makes for very powerful prayers. The grief is not hidden, but rather expressed openly to God.

Laments encourage people to be honest with God, to speak the truth about the injustice that they feel, and to agree with God that he is the God of justice. To lament to God is a sign of faith, not of doubt.

In a lament, people do not attempt to solve the problem themselves, but they cry to God for help. They look to God, not the enemy, as the one ultimately in control of the situation. They ask God to take action to bring justice rather than taking action themselves.

Laments are well known in many communities. They are a good way to express deep thoughts and emotions.

PIECES OF A LAMENT

Read Psalm 13 and identify the parts of the lament.

Reflect & Respond

Journal Exercise #2

Take some time to create a lament to God. Your lament could be a song, poem, prayer, or any creative way you wish to express your feelings to God. It does not have to include all parts of a lament, but it should have a reason for your grief or suffering.

If you have not yet downloaded and printed your Module 4 journal, you can download it now.

BRINGING YOUR PAIN TO THE CROSS

What can we do with our pain? What does the Bible say? Can releasing our pain to God really make a difference in your life? View the video below to shine a light on these questions.

EXPRESS YOUR PAIN

On a piece of paper, write down the pain and suffering that is on your heart. This is between you and God. Express your burden whether this is sin, suffering, pain, heartbreak, physical/emotional wounds/etc. Try to empty your heart. Then hang on to this paper. We’ll come back to it later.

REVELATION 21:1-5

Read the following passage in Revelation that discusses how God will one day renew the world.

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LET GO OF YOUR PAIN

God will make you new when you can bring your pain to him. Only he can offer that type of freedom and healing. For this next activity, take the paper that you wrote out earlier. Re-read your paper. Add to it if necessary. Think about the causes for your pain and suffering. Write those down if applicable. Next, destroy that paper. Burn it in a fire. Crinkle it up and throw it away. Shred it.

By destroying your papers, you are asking Jesus to take your suffering and continue to lead you on a journey of healing. This is not magic. It is something we do with our whole body that helps our heart and mind understand that we are asking Jesus to take our pain.

In Luke 4, Jesus himself read part of the following passage and helped people understand that it refers to himself.

READ ISAIAH 61:1–4

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Listen to McGruder as she brought her pain to God and found peace.

Reflect & Respond

Journal Exercise #3

What do you expect to happen by bringing your pain to the cross? Imagine the burden you have been carrying being lifted. What would that feel like to no longer carry it alone?

If you have not yet downloaded and printed your Module 4 journal, you can download it now.

WHAT’S NEXT

Bringing your pain to the cross is a major step towards healing. It’s releasing your burden and depending on God’s grace and love. The good news is that you can continue to bring your pain to God whenever you need.

To continue your healing, you must also learn to forgive. Continue this journey in the next module titled “Forgiving.”