What if lament and thanksgiving weren’t opposites—but holy companions?

In Week 3 of our HOLY HABITS series, Pastor Chuck leads us into the tension we all feel: joy and sorrow, faith and grief, praise and pain—all showing up at the same time. And instead of picking one, Jesus models how to hold both. In John 11, He weeps before He works. He grieves before He raises. He thanks the Father before the miracle happens.

This message reminds us:

👉 Lament is not weakness—it’s worship that won’t pretend.

👉 Thanksgiving is not naïve—it’s faith that trusts in who God is, not just what He does.

📖 Key Scriptures:

John 11 • Psalm 13 • Psalm 42 • Psalm 30 • Psalm 118 • 1 Samuel 30:6

💡 Key Takeaways from This Message:

✅ God Doesn’t Move on Our Timeline – Jesus waited two days before responding to Lazarus’s sickness… and still showed up for God’s glory. (John 11:1–16)

✅ Hope Is a Person, Not Just a Promise – “I am the resurrection and the life.” Hope walks with us even when grief is loud. (John 11:17–27)

✅ Lament Is Not a Lack of Faith – Jesus wept even though He knew resurrection was coming. (John 11:28–37)

✅ Thanksgiving Precedes Breakthrough – Before Lazarus walks out, Jesus says: “Father, thank You for hearing Me.” (John 11:38–44)

✅ Lament + Laud Belong Together – David shows us how to pray honestly and praise faithfully. (Psalms 13, 42, 118; 1 Sam. 30:6)

✅ Joy Doesn’t Deny Pain—It Defies Despair – True joy doesn’t fake strength—it finds it in God's presence.

🙌 PRACTICAL HOLY HABITS: LAMENT & THANKSGIVING

Lament:

• Be honest with God about your disappointment

• Read a Psalm out loud when you don’t have the words

• Keep a journal of what you’re grieving, not just what you’re grateful for

• Say “God, I don’t understand... but I’m still coming to You”

Thanksgiving:

• Thank God before the answer comes

• Speak gratitude in prayer—even while in pain

• List out who God is, not just what you want Him to do

• Encourage yourself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6)

🎶 “Don’t let the darkness get you down... Love will turn your life around...”

(—We The Kingdom)

Jesus shows us that weeping and worship can live in the same heart.

That honest lament and defiant gratitude form a faith that lasts.

Let’s become people who pray both prayers—tears and thanks—and trust God in the tension.

📍 Join us at RockChurch: 1081 Upper Spring Bay Rd, East Peoria

📲 Stream LIVE Sundays at 9 AM & 11 AM on YouTube, Facebook, and rcpeoria.org

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more life‑changing messages!

#HopeHelpJesus #ForThe309 #FullVolumeWorship #HolyHabits #LamentAndThanksgiving #JesusWept #FaithInTheTension #JoyInTheNight #GratitudeBeforeBreakthrough #ResurrectionAndLife #RockChurch