Have you ever found yourself in a situation so discouraging or fearful or overwhelming that you believed God had dismissed your distress as unimportant? When we feel helpless, a natural response is to become angry. At those times when we are disappointed by God’s apparent lack of response to our dilemma, we may become angry with Him. This creates a downward spiral because we know that God says He loves us–always. He will be with us. We feel trapped by guilt and shame because our emotions discredit His promises.
King David could identify. I cried out to God for help, I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; all night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted. (Psalm 77:1-2).
Most of us do not want to admit that we blame God for the deep pain caused by our circumstances. We didn’t choose this. One grieving mother wailed, “God could have saved my son but He didn’t. I was a good mother. Why would He take my son?” Her pleas were followed by all sorts of conjecture as she spiraled down into despair.
The most insightful response to our anger with God I have ever found comes from Susan Lenskes. “It is all right—questions, pain and stabbing anger can be poured out to the Infinite One, and God will not be damaged…For we beat on his chest from within the circle of his arms.”
What a profound picture.
Blessings,
Annette
Looking with New Eyes 