A review by ericj32
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

What should we do with our grief?  This book speaks to Christians and wades boldly into a topic that is often fearfully avoided and offers sobering truth and real hope.  The author defines lament by walking through examples from the books of Psalms and Lamentations, identifying biblical patterns of vocalizing real pain in order to teach us how to lament…as an act of worship.  There is so much truth here that feels like it’s been staring us in the face all along - it makes sense and sits well within your soul.  The author lovingly steers readers away from easy answers and firmly rejects common well-intentioned responses to tragedy.  He shares stories throughout that helpfully illustrate what this struggle with grief really looks like and the ways that he and his family and friends have tried to apply these truths in the real world.  One of the most striking aspects of this books is the contention that lament isn’t merely an individual exercise but one that can be engaged in collectively, and which Christians who understand the purpose and value of lament can lead others through in our communities when tragedy strikes.  This book is indispensable for any Christian who is experiencing traumatic loss, wants to comfort others in their grief, or feels overwhelmed with the massive suffering in our world yet struggles to know what they should do about it.