Longing for God's Rest & Peace

It is hard to image the pain and grief the people of Judah had to endure as God's wrath was poured out on them for their years of unfaithfulness when he brought the Babylonians against them and sent them into exile. Those who escaped with their lives lost family, all their property and possessions and their freedom. Worst of all, they lost the temple and the unique connection with God that that provided for them. Lamentations was not written as a theological exposition on the exile, but to give voice to the grief of the people. How can we, who live in such comfort and security, and who enjoy the unrestricted relationship with God that has been won for us by Christ, relate to and apply the lament of Israel?