Allowed to Lament

I was attracted to these smileys from my AOL IM program. For all my life, I have felt that as a Christian, I was only allowed to display certain emotions- fun, happy, content, joyful, etc. I thought that nothing negative was allowed in the Christian heart. Through this lament study, I have been liberated to know that God is not shocked or dismayed at my negative emotions. In fact, He welcomes them. The Joker is surrounded by all of my "allowed" emotions. On his spear I've put the "unacceptable" feelings.- Abby