Bitter Sweet

This poem was written by George Herbert in the 17th Century.

Ah, my dear angry Lord,
Since thou dost love, yet strike;
Cast down, yet help afford;
Sure I will do the like.

I will complain, yet praise;
I will bewail, approve;
And all my sour-sweet days
I will lament and love.

 

The point is it’s not either-or but both-and.  The Christian life isn’t just meant to be praise but no expression of frustration or sadness.  Given the Lord does two things at the same time – striking down and at the same time helping those who are struck down, Herbert reasons, we need to do two things simultaneously.  We need to complain and praise.  Our Christian life is deficient unless we have both.  A helpful corrective.