The Best Way to Vent Your Feelings and Thoughts
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Blurts and venting
We all blurt out things we later regret or need to explain, and some of us do this more than others do, especially when we allow our emotions or passions to drive us.
I’ve done this more times than I care to admit. When I do this with my family around, I’ll get a disapproving look or a “Dad, you shouldn’t say things like that!” And I know I’m not alone in this. That’s pretty obvious while scrolling through social media feeds.
Sound bites reign in this day and age. Sound bites are quotes yanked out of a larger context. They’re truncated thoughts disconnected from a complete sentence, conversation, or speech.
These brief expressions often distort what a person says or meant with their words. And though we might know this—especially those who pluck them out of their original context—they get attacked, agreed with, and weaponized.
You might notice that some psalms, or thoughts expressed within a psalm, seem harsh and judgmental. They are. These are called imprecatory or curse psalms where the psalmist gives full vent to thoughts born out of fear, anger, or resentment.
These psalms reveal the gut-level truthfulness of the Bible. The thoughts we usually keep within ourselves. It illustrates how open and honest we can be with God in prayer.
Scripture
For the choir director; according to shoshannim; by David.
You know that I have been insulted, put to shame, and humiliated.
All my opponents are in front of you.
Insults have broken my heart, and I am sick. I looked for sympathy, but there was none. I looked for people to comfort me, but I found no one.
They poisoned my food, and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
Let the table set for them become a trap and a snare for their friends.
Let their vision become clouded so that they cannot see. Let their thighs continually shake. [vss 19-22]
Pour your rage on them. Let your burning anger catch up with them. Let their camp be deserted and their tents empty.
They persecute the one you have struck, and they talk about the pain of those you have wounded.
Charge them with one crime after another. Do not let them be found innocent.
Let their names be erased from the Book of Life. Do not let them be listed with righteous people. [vss 23-28]
I am suffering and in pain. Let your saving power protect me, O God.
I want to praise the name of God with a song. I want to praise its greatness with a song of thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than sacrificing an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
Oppressed people will see this and rejoice. May the hearts of those who look to God for help be refreshed.
The Lord listens to needy people. He does not despise his own who are in prison. [vss 29-33]
Let heaven and earth, the seas, and everything that moves in them, praise him.
When God saves Zion, he will rebuild the cities of Judah.
His servants will live there and take possession of it.
The descendants of his servants will inherit it. Those who love him will live there. [vss 34-36]
(Psalm 69:19-36 GW) [Context– Psalm 69]
Reflections and Insights
David, the psalmist, expresses powerful emotions and thoughts in this psalm. This is a model for us. It’s an example of what we can do when volatile feelings fill our minds and hearts.
King David's strong suit was his openness and honesty with God. It’s one reason many people find solace and encouragement in the Psalms today, as they have for centuries.
It's better to say such things to God rather than blurt them out at others who don't understand where these intense feelings come from or why they rage inside us.
I'm reminded of an old chorus that goes, "You can talk about me all that you please—I'll talk about you down on my knees."
This is a truth we can learn from this and similar psalms. Instead of letting our anger, fear, or passion blast out at others, redirect these feelings and thoughts in prayer to God.
He understands. He knows the full context of our thoughts and words. He knows us.
May the hearts of those who look to God for help be refreshed. (Psalm 69:32b GW)
Reflection—
Do you vent your feelings to others, or have you learned to redirect and entrust them to God? God sees the big picture, the context of our lives. He understands and knows us better than anyone on earth, including ourselves.
Prayer Focus—
When you struggle with intense emotions and runaway thoughts, reach out to the Lord in prayer. Be open and honest with Him. The Lord will listen and understand us when we vent our fears and frustrations to Him.
[Here's the devotional for the first half of Psalm 69—How We Can Have Hope and Encouragement in the Darkness of Despair]
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