Psalm 102 - “A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord.”

As one afflicted. According to Merriam Webster; grievously affected or troubled (as by a disease): mentally or physically impaired

I have experienced physical, mental and emotional distress and not one of them is pleasant. What makes this so relatable is how it instantly brings unity. Every single person living in this moment, all those who have lived before and all those not yet born will experience distress. Every one of us, no exceptions. Unfortunately, what could bring us closer, tends to polarize.

When I am wounded emotionally, I am hyper focused on my feelings. The facts surrounding the circumstances could reveal my emotional response was unjustified, yet, no matter! Feelings and emotions override facts. Think of the child who shouts at the top of their lungs, “Mom, she called me stupid.” This child is an above average student who understands common sense. Her sister calling her stupid, causes her outrage and feelings of insecurity. How she feels in the moment is all she knows. She wants her mom to make it right.

The writer of Psalm 102 is experiencing distress to the point of having no appetite, a steady stream of tears and he is feeling discarded. Used up. Spent and ready to quit.

Midway through the Psalm, he pivots. He takes his focus off of himself, his distress, and the enemies that taunt him. He is looking to God and acknowledges God's sovereignty. He reminds himself as he tells God, “But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations.” (vs12)

Yes Lord, you are God. He calls out to his Father God to make things right. It’s this beautiful interaction between a man who loves God, and his Creator who is with him and is listening. I love how we are given these windows to look into. I look and see that the writer is given the opportunity to verbally process his angst and give himself a pep talk in the process. That works for me much of the time. Recalling God's goodness and faithfulness is for our benefit. The sweetness of this gift cannot be measured. God does not need my verbal affirmations and affections. He desires my whole heart, placing Him on the highest throne in the deepest part of me. The verbalization, the recalling, the recording, is for me. What God gives always exceeds anything I could come close to.

So, I recall. I remember and I am lifted up. I am buoyed by the promises of God. I am raised up from a place of the afflicted, to a place of victory. The writer declares that the name of his God would be proclaimed. He declares the truth that when everything else is worn out, dead and gone, his God remains. Our God remains.

When you feel as if you are alone and it seems no one is listening, call out to God. He is not hiding his face; he is waiting to be invited in. Cry out, lament, process and be in the moment. Feelings corrected and informed by God lead to faith-filled hearts and minds.

Do you cry out to God at the start or do circumstances have to reach a certain level of discomfort first? I’d love to hear what you’ve learned, please leave a comment below.