The Daily: Monday July 7th, 2025

Read Psalm 13 (NRSV, The Message)

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I bear pain in my soul,
and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 
Psalm 13:1-2

Granted, the difference between complaint and lament is a bit of a construct. There is a subtle but powerful difference between the two, and it makes a difference in how we experience our pain and move through it.

Complaint is reactive. It isolates us, pulls us into a spiral of negativity, and often leaves us powerless. When we complain, we fixate on what’s wrong without taking steps toward healing or change. We may vent to others or stew in frustration, but we rarely move forward. Complaint keeps us stuck in the drama triangle—feeling like victims, blaming others, waiting for rescue.

Lament, on the other hand, is sacred. It names pain honestly, but it directs that pain toward God. Lament brings our sorrow, confusion, and anger into relationship—drawing us closer to the Divine and to one another. It echoes throughout the Psalms: “How long, O Lord?” It is not weakness but a courageous act of trust. Lament says: “This hurts, and I will not pretend otherwise. But I am not alone in this.”

Where complaint turns us inward and downward, lament opens us to connection, gratitude, and hope. It doesn’t just vent emotion—it transforms it. And from that transformation, new life and deeper faith can emerge.

Prayer
God, we trust in your care for us. Forgive us for the times we have neglected your wisdom and compassion and instead followed the fear and scarcity of empire.