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Thus, it is clear that Christians still do experience defeat. Becoming a Christian does not mean a complete release from all struggle and defeat.
The encouraging thing is that as we accept our realities of defeat in the light of God's mercy and grace, we are changed.
In this world, we can never cross the bridge and come to a side where everything will be OK, where there will be no defeat. But at least we can cross the bridge as a different person, more open to change, more open to pain, because we have learned to share our pain and defeats with God and with others.
"An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain." Lament cannot solve all our problems. But it can create the needed space where we can deal with our sufferings.
The lament, however, is not just a coping tool. It can become a means of growing in our intimacy with God, By being open to God about our own brokenness and about the real condition of our hearts, we place ourselves in His loving embrace.
It is painful, difficult, tormenting, and agonizing. But the Lord allows us to go through the darkness so that we may reach out to those who are also in darkness.
