Cry Of The Soul
Are you finding it hard not to slump into discouragement?
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and you’d agree, it’s a difficult season, what with COVID-19 bouncing up and down. It just keeps disrupting our lives. I’ve been on the phone – no, actually, I’ve found myself on so many Zoom calls – listening to people who are struggling to stay focused, stay on top of things, not get discouraged, not slump down into depression. And listen, these are stalwart Christians having a hard time – people who, for the most part, have hardly been depressed a day of their lives. And it doesn’t have to be about this virus.
You’ve experienced it. You know how some great disappointment that goes deep, and nothing will console you, comfort you – just absolutely nothing. Maybe like when you, I don’t know, lose your newborn child to a sudden infection or your thirty-year marriage ends in a nasty divorce. Or maybe, despite all your efforts and good grades, the college of your dreams denies your acceptance. My husband Ken is feeling pretty sad right now. Last month he had to cancel his annual fly-fishing trip to Montana – he’s never had to do that. Every year, it’s been Ken’s big thing to look forward to: get together with the guys, fish the Madison River, sit around the fire, talk about the big issues of life; look at the stars at night and just, just breathe. He had to cancel that because our doctors were concerned that somewhere along the line, he might pick up the virus and bring it home. And if I got it, that’d be it. So, Ken was pretty discouraged.
And maybe you are, too. But whatever it is, friend, if today you are feeling that way; feeling the fog of dark feelings closing in, listen to the words of David in Psalm 5; he says, “Consider my groaning, O Lord, heed the sound of my cry.” Don’t you love that? God hears every groan; he hears every cry; he understands the unspoken anguish in your heart. Nobody is as in touch or in tune with the sadness in your soul as is God. So, let him heed – let God pay close attention – to the cry of your heart – all those deep, inexpressible fears, all those longings and groanings. Turn your dark feelings Godward, not inward.
It’s why I’m rereading right now a classic book by Dr. Dan Allender called “The Cry of the Soul.” I first read it decades ago when I was still sorting through the clinical depression brought on by my diving accident and quadriplegia. “The Cry of the Soul,” that book, showed me what to do with my anger and my hurt – not stuff it under the carpet of my conscience, or try to minimize it or make light of it, but do something good with it. Learn how to turn it Godward. And that’s what the book’s all about. Dan Allender gives a study of emotions from the Psalms, explaining to the reader that all emotions, whether positive or negative, can give us a glimpse of the true nature of God. For when we have negative emotions, God wants us to recognize them as the cry of our soul to be made right with him. I talk more about this book, “The Cry of the Soul,” on my radio page where I’ve listed my top 10 favorites, all of them good things for you to read during this season of the virus. So, find out more at joniradio.org, and enjoy browsing through some of my other reading recommendations for the fall season. Just earlier this month we observed National Read a Book Day, and I’ve got some great God-honoring books I’d like you to explore at joniradio.org. So have hope. God is in charge. And he is the answer to every cry of your soul. Visit us at joniradio.org. God bless you today and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends!
© Joni and Friends
How can we pray for you?
Joni’s Favorite Books
Joni has assembled a list of some of her favorite books – books that have especially shaped her walk with Christ, refreshed her heart, and strengthened her faith. Take a look and find your next great read!
