Overwhelming Faith

One day last week I listened to a Christian brother speak passionately about our need to not throw out platitudes when we are suffering. His plea was for us to acknowledge: 1)We're all aware of Bible verses which answer life's troubles. 2)We've heard sermons which address our hardships. 3)We've read books which are supposed to have built an unshakeable faith in us. But that doesn't mean we ought to ignore real pain as we regurgitate biblical truths, acting as if we aren't crying inside.
Less than 48 hours later I listened to a friend weep openly and express anguish over a flood of difficult circumstances which had just overtaken her. And when she was able to catch a breath she went on to confess how disappointed she was in herself for crying - because she believes God is in control, she knows she needs only pray and trust in Him, and she has confidence in His faithfulness. She didn't think she ought to be responding to the flood with such rampant tears.
And for a moment I felt like my head was spinning.
Because on the one hand I had a friend saying, Let us not demand that faith in God preclude vulnerability and the real expression of emotion in response to difficult life situations.
While on the other hand, I had a friend disappointed in herself for following that very suggestion.

And it made me begin to wonder: Is it possible to have it both ways?

What I mean is, could it be that a person who has steadfast faith in God - who believes He is good all the time, He is perfectly in control of every circumstance, and His love and mercy guide His hand - could that person, in faith, be distressed by trouble and hardship? Is it OK for a person of deep, committed faith in a God who is holy and perfect and loving and gracious to express raw feelings of pain and sadness when life gets really hard?
In a similar way, if a person goes through a major trial and`faces painful circumstances yet remains calm while testifying of God's faithfulness, can we trust they're being authentic? Is it possible for a person's faith to be stronger than their feelings, without suppressing said feelings?

With all my heart I believe the answer to each one of those questions is a resounding YES.
I am convinced a person can have steadfast faith, yet grieve in a moment of overwhelming stress.
I am equally confident that someone can be fully aware of and honest with their feelings, while sincerely testifying to their hope in God.
In fact, I think we can see both of those scenarios when we read many of David's psalms.
All that to say, have you ever found yourself wondering about the appropriateness of your level of emotional expression?
Have you doubted your faith because your feelings were so intense?
OR, have you considered yourself a little too much like Pollyanna because you always believed God was going to come through?
If so, I would love to invite you to spend some time in the psalms today - seeing real feelings and real faith expressed congruently by a real man. This one and this one may be good places to start.
May God bless you as you journey into overwhelming faith.