It's okay not to be okay

How many times has a friend we met greeted us with a "How are you?" Almost always our automatic answer is "Fine, thank you," whether it is true or not. In church services, we usually proclaim that "God is always good... always good," but there are often times when we feel that life is not fair and we ask God "Why?"

Motivational songs and victorious testimonies at church meetings do not evoke our experiences of suffering and adversity. That is to say, in Christian communities there is almost never room for experiences of "not being well." This is especially true for pastors and leaders, who are expected to be strong and well at all times. However, the Psalms of lament in the Bible paint a very different picture of understanding life and the way human beings express themselves before God. The author of this book turns to the Scriptures to teach us that in God's presence there is room for "not being well" and that our negative experiences do not have to be ignored; he challenges us to face our struggles and questions, instead of denying them.

More importantly, the author invites us to present our whole selves in the presence of God and our faith community because when we open ourselves, we grow in communion with God and in our relationship with one another. Very useful for preachers, pastors, and Christian leaders in general.

ISBN: 9786125026149