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Are You Angry at GOD?
I've got to believe at some point in your life, you've raised your voice and shouted out in anger at GOD. Most of us have done it. I did it! It was the worst moment in my life--period. My rage caught me off guard, and I said something out loud that I shouldn't have said. Boy, did I cry and repent! Thank GOD that GOD is a merciful and gracious GOD.
Maybe your parent died or your child. Maybe you had a friend get seriously sick, or maybe someone you loved was killed. Maybe you have cancer or some kind of serious illness. Tragedies make it easy for us to get angry at GOD. We wonder why GOD is doing this horrible thing to us.
The American Psychological Association defines anger: Anger is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong. Anger can be a good thing. It can give you a way to express negative feelings, for example, or motivate you to find solutions to problems but excessive anger can cause problems.
Trust me when I tell you that you don't want to have problems with GOD. Trust me. I know.
Why we get angry at GOD?
We think that GOD owes us something. This wrong thinking manifests in several ways:
1. When we don't get something we want:
Our first impulse is almost always to blame GOD. We blame GOD when we don't get the job that we want. We also blame GOD when we don't have the person that we want or the relationship that we want.
When we get angry at GOD, it is really like a 2-year-old throwing a fit because Mommy or Daddy won't let them stick their finger in the light socket. The 2-year-old can only see what he/she wants. The parent sees the bigger picture and the danger of sticking one's finger in a light socket. When we are angry at God, we show our immaturity, ignorance, and our shortsightedness.
2. When we get something we DON'T expect:
When something bad happens to us or someone we love, we blame GOD. We think that GOD is our personal genie in a bottle who should only give us good things and prevent the bad.
I used to think that if God really cared about me, then He wouldn't let me suffer.
We think, "If God is so loving, why am I in so much pain? Is He punishing me for no reason by allowing catastrophic things to happen to me, the people I love, the world?"
3. When we think God owes us something:
Both of these situations can make a person think that GOD doesn't care about us. After all the prayers I've prayed, GOD still didn't heal my mother or get me the job that I wanted. Let me help you with something that Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. of Triumph Church helped me with--God owes us nothing. He is the Sovereign LORD all by Himself. GOD does what He wants to do!
Don't get me wrong, GOD made us promises in the Bible. However, those promises are for His obedient children from what I understand. I had to ask myself: "Am I doing everything that GOD told me to do?" The answer is NO. Some may call me a hypocrite because of my disobedience. I call myself a Christian who is grateful that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Yes, He died for your sins too. Make it personal. Some people may be angry right now because I profess that I love GOD but I am still struggling with obedience. What can I say? GOD is still working on me. Don't judge GOD based on people's actions. People are not perfect. No one is perfect but GOD!
Basically, we get angry at GOD when we don't know all the facts. It's so easy to think we know everything, but we can only see a very small part of the picture. GOD sees all. GOD knows all. Sometimes pain happens to make us better people, better Christians so we can be a blessing to others. Newsflash: It's not all about us. It's about Jesus:
So what can we expect from GOD?
His Peace - If we trust in Him and believe in Him, we will have peace that surpasses all understanding even in the difficult times. Do you want to know how to find this peace? Pray and wait for GOD to speak to you. When you hear GOD, you will walk knowing that you are actually being carried in GOD's hands. "And the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7).
His Comfort - He promises to be near those who are hurting. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
His Love - GOD promises His love for us. "GOD is love, and whoever abides in love abides in GOD, and GOD abides in him." (1 John 4:16).
If we got everything we thought we wanted, we would be of no earthly good. GOD is the only wise GOD who is our loving Father who knows how to make us walk upright in Christ Jesus.
What I did when I was angry at GOD
1. I told him how I felt.
The best thing you can do is tell GOD what you're angry about. He wants to hear from you about what you're feeling. Tell GOD honestly where you are at, for He will meet you there. GOD knows what's going on with you. He wants you to come to Him with honesty and openness.
2. I placed the blame for evil on Satan, not on God.
GOD is good, holy, perfect, and loving. He is the opposite of evil. You may be angry at GOD because he didn't prevent the bad things from happening to you, but He is not to blame for the bad things. Blame Satan. Jesus says in the Bible "The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (John 10:10)
3. I prayed for courage, strength, and peace to make it through the day.
I got down on my knees to pray. Things got so bad, I fell face down in the prostrate position. When I tell you that GOD showed up and showed out, I'm not lying. I saw the supernatural GOD doing supernatural things. You don't believe me? Try Him! I dare you! If you don't see Him supernaturally, keep lying down with your face to the ground while you pray. He will make a move for His glory.
4. I trusted that GOD knows what He is doing.
This is Bible. Joseph was thrown in a ditch and sold off by his own brothers--family. Most times it is the people closest to you that will get you. Believe that! The Bible says you can't trust people so I don't. The Bible says, "Trust GOD!" When Joseph got out of his prison, GOD promoted him, making him the second most powerful man in all of Egypt.
I believe that GOD will use what people intend for evil for your good! You know why I believe that? Because GOD said it in the Bible! GOD has a reason for everything we go through, and He will get the glory!
5. I decided to have a personal relationship with GOD.
The Bible says the only way to know GOD is by knowing His son, Jesus. Jesus was GOD in the flesh when He was walking. It is simple--pray and listen for instructions from GOD.
Our trials and tribulations give us an opportunity to build our faith in a way that nothing else can. I was thrown in the fire several times. GOD saved me. He rescued me. I made it out only because of the grace of GOD. How can I be angry at GOD when He cares enough to make a way out of no way? I made it out alright!
Here I am purposely engaged in living an inspired life!
Blessings,
Rachel Mason
