Grief from “A” to “Z”
Posted by Steve Wilkins
Eugene Peterson in his book Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work, makes an interesting observation about the fact that Lamentations is written in the form of an acrostic poem. Peterson observes that the acrostic form (as it goes through the Hebrew alphabet) both organizes and puts limits upon grief and suffering:
“In such ways does the acrostic function: it organizes grief, patiently going over the ground, step by step, insisting on the significance of each detail of suffering. . . . Arranged in the acrostic structure the suffering no longer obsesses, no longer controls. . . it makes certain that nothing is left out, but it also, just as certainly, puts limits upon the repetitions. If there is a beginning to evil, there is also an end to it.” (p. 122)
The form of Jeremiah’s lament shows “a pastoral style.” There is full sympathy for the terrible suffering being endured and yet, the structure insists upon a termination to the time of grief. It reminds us that sorrow and suffering are not endless:
“Sorrow and suffering are not infinite. Any serious discomfort, illness, hurt, or loss seems at the time of impact as if it will go on forever, getting worse all the time. But, in fact, it does not. There comes a time when either life ends or the suffering ends. The subjective feeling of endlessness in suffering is, in fact, false. . . . Lamentations provides a model for dealing with this sense of endlessness in suffering by putting the suffering within the frame of the acrostic. There is a countable, alphabetical scheme — so that when you are at A, you know that Z is, even though a long way off, still there, and that will end the series.” (pp. 122-123)
This is an important point for those in the midst of suffering and sorrow to remember, “Evil is not inexhaustible. It is not infinite. It is not worthy of a lifetime of attention.” (p. 123-124)
When it comes to dealing with grief, Christians often struggle with two fears: 1) that grieving is somehow wrong and sub-Christian (shouldn’t we rejoice and give thanks in all things?) and 2) the sense that we will never be able to leave our sorrows behind.
The acrostic structure of Lamentations teaches us that both fears are unfounded. Grieving is not wrong (after all, here’s an entire book of lament!). Mourning our loss is human, appropriate, and right. Indeed, there is something terribly anti-human about taking death, tragedy, and loss stoically. But grieving as if there is no hope is sin. Faithful grieving is always able to say, even in the midst of tears, “thanks be to God.” Not to be able to do so is refusing to believe the gospel. God promises both to limit our sorrows and to work them together for good in Christ Jesus.
Times of suffering will come to an end, though, as Peterson says, ”Z” may seem to be a long way off when you’re only at “A” or “B” – but the end will come. Sorrow does not have the last word . . . . and it doesn’t because God is faithful. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.
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