Selwyn now moves on to look at a number of negative emotions – the first one being anger.

He introduces today’s study, as follows: “We move on now to put the spotlight on some of the negative emotions that are clearly identifiable in the hearts of those who wrote the uncomfortable psalms. The first is that of anger.”

Selwyn concludes his study with this statement: “It’s okay to be angry with God, provided that in the midst of out turbulent emotions we want deep down to know Him better.”

I don’t agree, although there may be times when circumstances may cause us to be angry with God, it might be understandable - but, it is not okay! Yet, it is also important to recognise when we feel anger and not to deny the reality of our emotions.

Psalm 44 (reading and meditation) is one of those difficult psalms, in that the identity of the writer and the events discussed, are not known. In a way, it’s a typical ‘complaint of a martyr’, a person who is undergoing extreme persecution and the only relief to their suffering, is death. During their time of suffering they never reject God but remain faithful – however, they constantly plead with God to intervene and save them.  It’s a Garden of Gethsemane moment, where we cry out for the cup of suffering to be taken away, if it’s God’s will; or the courage to drink it – if, He doesn’t intervene. It demonstrates our ultimate confidence, given to us by Jesus, that God always loves us; and, even suffering and death cannot separate us from His love.

Psalm 44:14-26 (NIV): “You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us. My disgrace is before me all day long, and my face is covered with shame at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant. Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals and covered us over with deep darkness. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?

Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground.

Rise up and help us;  redeem us because of your unfailing love.”

I’m not sure that the psalmist is only expressing anger; it appears more (to me) as confusion and despair – in not knowing a ‘good’ reason for their distress.

Paul in his letter to the Romans, writes (8:35-39, NIV):  ”Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written (Psalm 44:22): ”For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus has redeemed us – because of His unfailing love – that gives us the confidence to continue our journey during the most difficult times. Do you agree?

Selwyn tells us in today’s study that he is of the view ‘that repressed negative emotions have an impact on our physiology’ (the way our body works).

I often get a pain in the back – but that’s due to a car accident and not repressed emotions. I agree that our mental health has a significant impact on the ‘health’ of our body, however, it’s best not to jump to conclusions but to get a thorough medical check-up by a doctor before you reach a firm conclusion (with the assistance of prayer) about the cause of your ‘back, neck and shoulder problems’.

The first five verses of Psalm 32 (set for reading and meditation) are excellent (NLT):

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”

For me, this is the important point – when we refuse to recognise and confess our sins we remain in a state of rebellion against God – and nothing works as it should, including our bodies. Do you agree?

Did you agree with the following statement, which Selwyn made in today’s study: “We are all, even the most mature of us, inclined to shake our fist (metaphorically speaking) in God’s face when things don’t go the way we think they should and ask, God, why are You letting this happen to me?”

He goes onto say: “In the heart of each one of us … lies a stubborn commitment to independence, a fierce desire to find life apart from trusting God. How is the attitude exposed? Thankfully, through the words of inspired Scripture, particularly the uncomfortable psalms, where we see ourselves, as we said, in a mirror.” 

I guess, I’m too much in awe of God to shake my fist at Him -  dreading the idea of falling into the hands of an angry God. I may get confused and bewildered, upset or depressed about the things that go wrong in my life -  and, in the worst of those times, may stubbornly say – ‘well, I’m not taking another step, until You help me out of this mess!’ He may not immediately respond to my pleading – but, in time, He always does respond – because of His love. God so loves us – that he will never abandon us, in our times of darkness – He is our faithful, eternal light.

I think that what Selwyn writes about today is extremely important, and the main theme is best captured in the following excerpt: “Through our negative feelings may not at first appear to have much to do with God, they are, quite often, making a profound statement. Fear says, ‘Is God capable of taking care of me? Anger says, ‘Why does God allow my goals to be blocked?’ Envy says, ‘God seems to bless others more than me.’ Disappointment says, ‘Is God fair?’ Our feelings may surface in the horizontal context of life – as a result of circumstances, events, situations – but they have a vertical context also: our concept of God.”

He goes on to say that often people rage against God, because - they believe it is within His power to alleviate their suffering; yet, their suffering continues – therefore, God must be ignoring their plight and cannot possibly be good. I think that this type of response demonstrates the dominance of pride in the human heart; it’s a response based on the notion of ‘my requirements, my comfort and my interests’ - come first. I’m sure some think along these lines: ‘God, to prove His love for me – should make sure that my interests are met; otherwise – He is not faithful to His word.’

Jesus, on the cross – proved His love for everyone, why do some keep asking Him to prove His love, over and over again – is it, that they don’t fully trust the sufficiency of His death; and, the victory demonstrated by His resurrection?

I also liked the prayer for today: “O Father, I am dimly aware of my deep-seated tendency not to trust You. I want it rooted out, however, Your Word is a mirror and also a sharp two-edged sword. Use both to bring me to maturity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

What did you think of today’s study?

I think that Selwyn makes a very good point in today’s study – our emotions often reflect – deep in the foundations of our heart – our relationship with Jesus.

He mentions that ‘Dr Dan Allender, a Christian psychologist, argues that our negative emotions (those not caused by a physiological disorder) reveal more than the fact we are feeling uncomfortable; they reveal the root of our sin – the suspicion that God cannot be trusted to have our best interests at heart.’

For some, their reasoning may be a little more subtle, in that while they may trust God at one level; they may also think that He would let them experience some unsettling moments to build their character, so to speak.

I think it is true that God refines us through difficult times, but He never does anything that is not wrapped in the purest love. He will never allow us to be broken by disastrous events – He will always be there with us, providing encouragement and His peace, during those tough times.  The most important point of all – one, we must always keep at the forefront of our hearts and minds – is, He loves us; and, in His love, we can totally trust Him. Do you agree?

Here are the first fifteen verses from Psalm 77 (New Living Translation), a subset of those verses, set for reading and meditation, just take a moment – to reflect on the writer’s view of God’s love:-

“I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted.

I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs.

I search my soul and ponder the difference now. Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.”

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. … “

Sometimes, when you feel separated from our Lord because of negative emotions, it may be a good idea to follow the psalmist example; and, remember His wonderful deeds – especially His death on the cross – for you!

Selwyn makes an interesting observation in today’s study – when he says: ” … a close examination of the psalms shows that the psalms of complaint, confusion, doubt and heartache significantly outnumber the psalms of joy.”

It goes without saying – that we have a better understanding of joy when we have also experienced depression; likewise, we soar to the heights of life – when we experience love, because we have also experienced the depths of feeling unwanted or ignored. The best aspects of this life come into sharper focus when seen in contrast to the worst that this life has to offer.

Maybe, we can praise God all the more – when we clearly see the salvation that Jesus offers compared to everlasting death which was to be our natural destination.  In other words, without the contrast of different emotions we would lack a reference point – an ability to appreciate the difference between the peace promised by God and the dark, cold chaos that results when we depart from His presence. 

The following verses are set for today’s reading and meditation – Psalm 130:1-8 (New Living Translation): “From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.“

Don’t you think it strange that, in general, those of today’s generation – have forgotten to fear our Lord – as it says in the above verses: ‘you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.’

Yes, our Lord loves us with all His life – yet He is also our Judge – who will determine our eternal future.

What’s your view on this issue?

The verses (1-4) set for reading and meditation come from Psalm 56 - another of David’s psalms, this one concerns the time when the Philistines seized him.

 ”O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”(New Living Translation)

Selwyn mentions this psalm in his study: “In this psalm – the psalmist confesses to being afraid. Which of us has not been afraid when slandered or vilified by others? … But doesn’t the Bible exhort us over and over to ‘fear not’? … When Scripture tells us not to fear it is not telling us to pretend we are unafraid; it is telling us to look beyond the reasons for our fear, to God.”

On our journey there will be times when we will experience negative emotions such as ‘fear, anger and depression’. The best way to manager these types of emotions is to identify them, and not to deny that we are feeling a certain negative emotion, or that the feelings are trivial and should soon pass. It is not a sign of weakness to recognise the truth of our situation – this side of the grave we are never perfect.

As David once wrote: ‘ when I am afraid, … I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”  We too, can trust in Jesus that He will save us from our fears – in a way, we can offer our negative emotions to God who has control over everything and He can change ‘tears’ into a ‘smile’ -  persevere in prayer and place your trust in Him.