God called David a man after God’s own heart, and David is by far the greatest poet in scripture and the most prolific lamenter. Following his footsteps, Christian counselors often assign creative writing prompts that can give voice to our souls’ deepest longings and allow us to wrestle with fraught emotional/spiritual questions. One client I was working with was grappling with questions of worthiness, lovability, and identity. Here’s what he wrote, which he graciously agr

The painter’s skill was evident: a masterful, courageous use of color; rich oils generously applied, the dimension of form beckoning from the canvas; a timeless, pastoral scene inviting the viewer to sample and emulate its merits.

Even for the mature and outwardly humble Christian, self-talk frequently remains the greatest bastion of pride in the believer’s heart.