Overview
When life hits you hard sometimes the only thing to do is to fall to pieces. We may try to hide the anger, frustration, and grief behind it all, but what if there’s a better way?
Lament is an honest outpouring to God — a point where we stop filtering and share the full spectrum and depth of our emotions. Listen as Verena opens up about her journey through grief, and how learning to lament transformed her perspective and led her toward hope.
Podcast
What About Lament?
26 Min.
Thursday, 19 March 2026
Messages of Hope Podcast
"Sometimes I feel that God needs to bring us to the end of ourselves, so we can find Him there”
God often uses the space we create by giving things over to Him to begin our journey back into a place of healing, hope, and joy.
For Verena, the journey back to joy from a particularly difficult time in her life required a willingness to acknowledge deep disappointment, frustration - even anger - at God, before a point of honest, unfiltered outpouring changed everything.
Key Takeaways
- God meets us in our most vulnerable moments – Lament is about bringing our raw grief, anger, or confusion to God exactly as we are, right in the middle of the mess.
- Lament is honest, not polite – It’s a no‑holds‑barred outpouring directed to God, where we stop filtering and tell Him the truth He already knows.
- God wants our emotions, even the ugly ones – Anger toward God is okay; He has ‘big shoulders’ and invites us to express what’s really inside.
- God is present in the rubble, not distant – He doesn’t watch suffering from afar; He sits with us in the ruins of our lives.
- Lament creates space for healing – Releasing what’s pent up, even repeatedly about the same issue, allows God to begin restoring hope and faith.
- Scripture gives language when we have none – Psalms and Lamentations show faithful believers ‘giving it to God,’ providing words when we can’t find our own.
- Lament leads to rediscovering identity – When everything else falls away, God reminds us: ‘You are my beloved child, and I will never leave you.’
- Hope is reborn over time, not instantly – Lament isn’t a quick fix; it’s a slow, honest process where faith gradually regrows through connection with God.
- God speaks in many ways when we pay attention – Through Scripture, nature, people, or moments of quiet—He uses anything to reach us when we’re listening.
- You don’t have to carry suffering alone – Verena urges anyone in pain to stop trying to cope by themselves and to bring everything to God, who is ready and willing to hold it.
Episode Transcript
Explore further
Booklets and Related Episodes
Each episode of our regular podcast is accompanied by free resources that provide hope, encouragement and advice for navigating the difficulties and challenges of daily life.
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Why Do Bad Things Happen?
Have you ever wondered why there is so much injustice and pain in your life, or in the world? When bad things happen, we may not always understand why - but hope, help and comfort are always close at hand.
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When In Drought
Farming is a tough job on a good year, but even harder when facing severe drought. So, what happens when your livelihood depends on rain that just doesn’t come?
PRAYER REQUEST
Would you like us to pray for you?
We believe God is at work in all things, draws near in challenging circumstances, and loves each and every person fully and unconditionally.
If you would like us to pray for you or for someone you know, we encourage you to send us a prayer request. Our team would be happy to keep your situation in our prayers.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Support Services
Professional help is always available
Across Australia and New Zealand, God richly blesses us with counsellors, psychologists and medical professionals who are able to offer help, support and hope throughout life’s challenges.
If you have found the themes or topics contained within this episode challenging or confronting, we encourage you to reach out to one of the following professional support organisations.
