“Talking out our problems”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Psalm 6 (Forward, p. 31) CEV p. 558
I know, from personal experience, that there is often a very fine line, a fine line indeed between the kind of listening that allows a sufferer to vent their feelings and eventually come to some sort of peace or resolution, and the kind of listening that enables—in terms of perpetuating—that person’s sense of victimhood, sadness and woes.
Today’s psalm depicts, not in a conversation with another human being but in a conversation with God, that first kind of listening. Here our psalmist pours out his soul to God. Basically, the psalm can be divided into three parts, which roughly parallel the stages in the psalmist’s thinking:
a) In section one, he describes his woes. He describes his pain and his fear and takes back both directly to God. He depicts his fear and distress as being attributable, at least in part, to his fear of God and God’s anger. In human terms he seems to paint God in a rather unflattering colour, almost like an abusive parent: “Don’t punish me, Lord, or even correct me when you are angry” (verse 1). With his question, “how long will it be?”, he seems to be waiting ‘for the other shoe to drop”.
b) Fortunately, the psalm doesn’t end there. In section two, the psalmist appeals to God. (Incredibly, and wisely, his fears concerning God hasn’t stopped him from going to God in prayer. He doesn’t give up on God, even with everything that has happened). And, continuing his description of his present calamities, he pours out ‘the whole sad lot’ in this petition to God.
c) And, in section three, he spells out a resolution. God has heard his prayers and will continue to do so on into the future. And so, seeing as God is on his side, his enemies, those hateful people, had better watch out. It is only toward the end of the psalm that they are mentioned, but nevertheless they will be shamed, terrified and disgraced.
Our psalm portrays what we can certainly do with a loving friend or spouse or family member or pastor, someone who’s ‘got our back’ and is willing to provide a sympathetic but nurturing listening ear, but even more, what we can do with God. God is not to be feared but can always be counted upon to be there for us, to understand completely, and to be able to help us in our times of anxiety or distress. Amen.
Forward notes: “I grow weary because of my groaning; every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears. My eyes are wasted with grief and worn away because of all my enemies” (verses 6-7).
“Grief and fear are exhausting. The experience of mourning a loss or labouring under the weight of sadness works its way into our dreams and awakens us in the night. Sometimes our restless prayers become dreams themselves, and we pass the night in anxiety. But like the psalmist, we can find a semblance of peace in a dialogue with God. We can invite Christ into our suffering. We can share our troubles with him. We can find safety, security, and solace in his presence. As the passage ends, the psalmist assures us that our prayers are heard. We won’t be left alone in our pain.
“This Advent season, let us invite Christ into our suffering. Let us wait for the hope that the morning brings.”
Moving Forward: “Are you restless with grief and fear? Take comfort in your constant companion, Christ our Lord and Saviour.”