Moving from Weeping to Worship

Written By Tia Marie
 

Cheryl Marshall welcomes Christine Chappell to explore how believers can move from weeping to worship in seasons of discouragement. Drawing from the Psalms of Lament and Christine’s forthcoming book, "Lament: Crying out in Faith," the conversation unpacks what biblical lament is, why it matters, and how it can help Christians experience genuine gladness, grow in grace, and embrace both honest sorrow and steadfast praise.

Key Topics Covered

  • What is Lament?

    • Christine Chappell defines biblical lament as “a way of talking to the Lord about our pain, of fellowshipping with him in the midst of our grief...a way of taking refuge in God in our distress” 

  • God’s Grace in Lament

    • Discussion on how it is a distinct privilege for God’s people to approach Him with our burdens, highlighting the unique access believers have to God’s presence and comfort 04:02.

  • Seeking Gladness Apart from God

    • Honest reflection on how both believers and non-believers are tempted to “gladden their own hearts apart from the Lord” and examples of unhealthy coping mechanisms, versus turning to God for true joy.

  • The Goals of Lament

    • Examining God’s good intentions in our sorrows, reorienting our goals, purging impurities, giving wisdom, reviving hope, and strengthening us to take our next steps in faith.

  • What is Biblical Hope?

    • A definition of biblical hope as “a settled assurance that all God has promised will come to pass”, and clarifying the difference between hoping in God’s promises versus our preferences.

  • The Relationship Between Lament and Praise

    • How lament and praise coexist, and how honest sorrow before God can also be an act of worship. “We are holding these two truths, lament and praise, at the same time. And that is a spiritual skill that grows with practice and time”.

Take Aways

  • Lament is Not Weakness: It’s an act of faith and fellowship with God in our darkest moments.

  • God Invites Honest Emotion: We can approach God authentically and reverently in pain, and He welcomes us because we belong to Him in Christ.

  • Run to God: Searching for comfort apart from Him ultimately leaves us empty; God alone can truly gladden our souls.

  • Shift Our Hopes: Biblical hope rests on what God promises, not always on what we desire.

  • Worship in Weeping: Weeping and worship are not mutually exclusive; honest lament can itself be worship when paired with a heart of trust.

Resources Mentioned

Next Steps

  • Reflect on your current sorrows: Have you practiced biblical lament, honestly pouring your heart out to God?

  • Try praying through a Psalm of Lament, trusting God to meet you in your pain.

  • Consider what hopes or comforts you may be seeking apart from God, and intentionally turn to Him for gladness.

  • Embrace the dual reality: It’s okay to weep and worship at the same time.

Connect

Tia Marie https://tia@peritusdesigns.com
Next

Overcoming Discouragement with the Gospel