How are you feeling today? Not how are you doing, or what are you doing, but how are you feeling? I bet most could answer that question with, “I’m exhausted; I’m too busy; I’m weary and tired all the time,” or something to that effect.

If being honest, many might answer with, “I’m discouraged; I’m depressed; I’m filled with anxiety and have panic attacks.” Some would say they are really stressed out and struggling with life; or living with pain, sorrow, or grief, and just barely hanging on.

Sadly, most Christians don’t feel the freedom to express when they are facing fiery trials and struggles. They may share physical pain or illnesses to ask for prayer. But how many share when they are struggling emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or relationally?

Some attach a stigma to struggling Christians. They are made to feel like they don’t have enough faith or they wouldn’t be going through these trials and hardships. Some would say to just suck it up and pull yourself up by your bootstraps and keep going.

But that’s not a healthy way to deal with emotional or mental struggles, or even spiritual or relational ones. The more you stuff these things inside, ignore them, or pretend they don’t affect you, the greater toll they will take upon your, body, soul and spirit.

That’s not the biblical way to handle the trials and hardships of life either. As we look back to how mighty men and women of God dealt with their struggles, we find they turned to God and brought their laments to Him. They shared their hearts with the Lord and poured out all their pain and sorrow to Him.

We find in the Psalms where King David cried out to the Lord over and over when he felt forsaken and overwhelmed with sorrow. Some of these are Psalms 13, 22, 34, 51, and 142. In each one David shares His heart with God without fear that God will reject Him.

We have a good example here of how God desires us to just pour out everything we’re feeling and going through to Him, and how He will be so faithful to hear our cries and intervene in our lives. Tell Him all about it. He loves us unconditionally and cares about everything we’re going through.

Many of the prophets of old also brought their laments and pain to the Lord, expecting Him to answer. Jeremiah wrote a whole book of mourning lamentations to express his sorrow for the suffering of God’s people. Elijah was so overwhelmed and depressed that he just wanted to die.

The prophet Habakkuk cried out, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Hab 1:2). Do you ever feel like God doesn’t hear your prayers no matter how much you cry out? So did some great prophets and kings. But rest assured He hears you, and don’t give up.

Even on the cross in His darkest hour, Jesus, God’s Son, cried out to His Father, asking why He had forsaken Him. But we know that He was not forsaken, and went on to rise from the dead to be our Savior.

So again, I ask, “How are you feeling today?” Give careful thought before you answer and tell God all about it. He cares more than you know. There are also others who care, so reach out to those who are willing to listen.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.