Conflict is not just in the remembering. It is alive and well today. I am deeply sad as I hear about the escalating conflicts in the Middle East again today. My heart and prayers are with those around the world who are suffering and in the midst of the pain of fighting and upheaval. There is plenty of that here in my world too. It is not just limited to the obvious suicides, divorce and fighting. Conflict erupts in my heart too. Frustration and anger often lurk around the corners of my soul, jumping out unannounced over both big and small triggers. Sometimes days and even weeks go by with no obvious flare ups in our home until even some small issue brings forth challenging anger.
The Psalms in the Bible record the full range of our emotions, both those desired and those unwanted. It is healthy for me to pray them with the multitudes who have gone before, acknowledging my own feelings and expressing them to God unedited. Some people have complained about the more gruesome expressions of pain in the psalms, but for me I am glad that they are alongside the gentle stillness and love of others. We are created with a full palette of expression and cannot turn our heads from the conflict beside the love. Tonight I read Psalm 77 and pray for all those in the full grip of conflict who feel that God has "slammed the door on compassion." May "His road lead through the sea and the mighty waters to a pathway no one knew was there!" May that pathway lead to peace and love in some small way for our suffering friends tonight.
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