I was reminded recently of a story I used to tell about a man who was the last to share in his prayer group. They were going around in a circle, giving their personal requests for prayer when they came to him and he took a deep breath and proceeded to relate some very ugly things he was going through in his life right then including some anger at God and a real sense of being depressed due to questions he had no answers for and problems he couldn’t solve. He had wanted to avoid these painful things and just focus on how good God is, but the reality and intensity of his present state of affairs prevented him from telling anything but the truth. When he finished, there was a long pause, and the man related to me how in that silence he had regretted revealing as much as he did. It was then that someone broke the silence with five very special words: “Can we go around again?”
Five words—that’s all—but oh how important those five words are. Those five words say: You are not alone. If the rest of us had been as honest, we would all have equally challenging things to say. In fact, let’s go around again so we can!
What good is so-called prayer time if we don’t tell the truth about what we really need? Who are we touching if we are not allowing ourselves to be touched? Whatever it is that you are afraid to reveal, it’s not as bad as the phony, shallow relationships that will result if you don’t.
“Can we go around again?” says so much. It says you have courage, you want to be and know the truth, and you are willing to stick out as the only one with real problems, should no one else choose to meet your level of honesty.
For the sake of yourself and others, be a “Can we go around again?” person.
John Fischer The Catch 
John,
I really love you. You are so raw and honest. You live the Christian Life with honesty, pain and sincerity. Much appreciated. I have been battered and bruised since May of this year. On administrative leave from my job and not knowing what is going to happen. I’ve also put in for retirement…so my future is cloudy. Do I have hope and faith? With him I have everything…without him…nothing. Please pray for me John. I’d appreciate it. And once again, thank you servant.
Lindy
Amen.
I realize that sometimes I’ve “covered” for God by not revealing my own struggles. It’s as if I’m saying that a God who allows me to struggle is not big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to spare me this kind of pain. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks for the the reminder of the importance of being authentic and allowing and confirming that in others, as well.
Thanks, John!!
I’m gonna use this Sunday morning in Sunday School when we do our prayer request list!
Let’s “be real” people!! God sure enough is!
Thank you Lord for letting us be authentic with our feelings. I am so tired and angry right now, but because I can be truthful with You, I know that You are right here in it with me. How truly blessed we are.
I have had my own IT business since 2002, and while things were OK for several years business has been pretty lousy the last couple of years. I’ve been able to bill out a few hours per week, but my last “steady” client (12 – 15 hours per month) just told me that they don’t have any budget for the rest of the year, so maybe they’ll call me in January. And I have a pile of bills from some weird medical problem that looks like MS, but there isn’t enough proof for the neurologist to make any diagnosis. And my wife divorced me in June. And at 59, I’m very broke, very broken and I really don’t know what to do. And I’m really frustrated because people say that people who love God and give their tithes don’t have struggles. And, they say oh, you just need to trust God more, or you just need to pray more, or you just need to give more.
No, you don’t need to do any of these things, except it would be nice to find someone who would be willing to sit with you and kick at the darkness. Then you get up and keep going. That’s about it.
I don’t know who these “people” are that advising you but my suggestion to you is to find some new advisors. While I believe and practice tithing, trust and prayer, none of those things preclude me from the challenges of life. Those practices help me keep these challenges in perspective but they don’t exempt me from pain.
God is good. Pain in temporary. Rail against the darkness and keep leaning forward.
John,
My wife and I attend a care group, (cell group) of about 8 couples.
I would like, (with your permission) to print this catch to use as a
handout at our next meeting.
Thanks John
Yes, I like this too. Authenticity is beautiful. I just posted this to my facebook, and I may print it out and share it with my group too.
Thanks, John. I have no idea how I ended up on your email list, but this piece was worth them all.