Just be honest

One of the areas that we can grow in as a Global Church is seeing the benefit of lamenting and actually doing it. Often our church services are filled with people hiding behind the mask of “I’m fine” but in reality they’re struggling. Often our sung worship is full of uplifting and ‘triumphant’ songs, but many people aren’t in that place. As a global church we need to rediscover the gift of lamenting. Lament isn’t moaning or groaning the difficulties in life, but it is bringing our pain and our suffering before the Lord in prayer and in worship. 

Let me introduce you to ‘Just be honest’ by Clint Watkins, I would highly recommend you get a copy of this book! In this book Watkins shares his own experience of pain which lead to a long time of wrestling with God and heartache as Clint and Jillian, his wife, lost their first son Eli at birth. Their story is peppered throughout the book but the bulk of the material is about what the Bible teaches about lamenting.

The book is split into two parts – part one is about being honest with God, bringing your pain and struggles to Him in a way that is honest and biblical, part two is about being honest with one another and how as churches we can walk with one another through the deepest moments of pain and lament together.  

One of the things I like about this book is that it is full of the Bible, Clint draws on specific passages and characters that help us understand what lament looks like. In addition to that, it’s also very practical. Clint doesn’t write in a way that leaves you with an intellectual understanding of lament and that’s it. Throughout this book there are little steps to make, or introduce to your own life, your church life and how you approach others.

Here’s one of my favourite quotes from the book “The Lord does not expect you to simply polish your pain with his promises or raise a hallelujah over your hurts. Nor does he require you to leave your sorrow at home on Sundays. You can seize hope by voicing your heartache to the Lord.”

If you’re struggling or if you want to prepare yourself for suffering that may come your way or if you want to better help those who are struggling and learn to lament with them, this book will certainly help!

In addition to the great chapters, Watkins has also compiled a list of lament songs that churches can start to sing and included them at the back of the book, well worth a listen to them and pray about whether you should implement them into your church.

I am glad this was my first read of 2024, it certainly blessed me a lot and I’m sure it will you too. Get your own copy here.

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*** I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. This does not change the way I rate the book. My views are my own. ***