Getting angry with God--on occasion

[whatevergirl]

I will always confess this, as it is not my usual self towards God, certainly. But, every now and then, I get angry with Him that my parents were taken from me at such an early age…I pray through these times, and then the negative spirit, if you will, is lifted off of me. Do you think that this is the devil trying to pull my strings, as he so very much wants us to be angry with God? I told Him how sorry I was for feeling anger towards Him today, but I wonder if this is normal, at times?

 

[TOP]

This is when you have to just talk to God about how and why you feel the way you do. Just a conversation. Say your sorry like you would to a friend after an argument. I’m not happy about some things that have happened to me, even if it was my own doing. Other things just don’t make sense. And I can hold a grudge at times. I find just talking to Him helps. Tim

 

[Porthos]

I have done the same thing so don’t feel alone. Remember though “you always hurt the one you love”. Most the time for me anyways is me just getting angry because I wanted something different than God gave me. We are his children and sometimes we have temper tantrums. He will forgive you.

 

[whatevergirl]

You both have helped me…I don’t mean to get angry…I don’t say things to God that appear like I’m angry with God, but the way I sometimes feel ‘jilted’ in some situations, perhaps, I can appear like I’m not grateful for all of my blessings…and I am grateful…I need to work on just talking my thoughts and anxious moments out with God.

 

[bcuster]

I am going to respond in the same way I teach my clients about anger. Anger is good. All of our feelings are given to us by God to help us. Anger alerts us to injustice. Anger acts as a guide to tell us that something in NOT RIGHT.

Anger can be used to spur us to do the right thing. Look at Jesus in the temple. He drove out the money-changers. He, the Son of God, had the authority to do this.

Anger can also be directed toward evil when we become violent toward ourselves or others.

I, too, have had my share of losses. My brother died this past February 11 of cancer at the age of 46. He left a wife and 3 young children. I am angry. I am angry at the disease of cancer. I am angry at sin that brought about the alienation between God and men that is the root of all disease and violence. I express my anger in the presence of God… I may have once or twice acted as if God was the source of my pain. I begged the Lord for a miracle but by God’s grace I would not EVER go against His Holy Will for my Brother.

Anger can be a form of prayer. Anger can be offered up to the Lord in reparation for my sins and the sins of the world. Anger is a gift to be cherished and used for good.

 

[BlestOne]

Whatevergirl,
I think it is very human to get angry at God when we don’t understand his will… the key to getting over the anger is to accept that his plan is always better than our own plans, even if we don’t see why at the time or even ever.

I was very angry at God when I lost my son’s twin…it hurt so much, why did he take one of my babies and leave the other to remind me everyday?

Especially when we lose loved ones and we don’t understand why… it is easier to get angry at God then to believe in God’s will. I still think one of the worst things a person can say to a person who loses a loved one is that it was God’s will. We all know it deep down, but we don’t understand, so we get angry… it is a part of the grieving process.

My suggestion is to pray for trust… that you may finally trust in God’s plan and stop being angry about it. Your loss hurt you enough, and no doubt part of your anger is that you can’t share your loved ones with your children. Look at it as an opportunity to share with your children how much more you value them because of your loss and how you wish they could have gotten to know your parents. That is the best way to honor them now.

 

[StCsDavid]

As a priest once told me…God has pretty big shoulders. He can handle your anger.

Pray what you are feeling. That is your true self to be given to Christ.

 

[silentdeb]

I will always confess this, as it is not my usual self towards God, certainly. But, every now and then, I get angry with Him that my parents were taken from me at such an early age…I pray through these times, and then the negative spirit, if you will, is lifted off of me. Do you think that this is the devil trying to pull my strings, as he so very much wants us to be angry with God? I told Him how sorry I was for feeling anger towards Him today, but I wonder if this is normal, at times?

This is one of those times that I think it’s SO appropriate that we refer to God as ‘Father’, for haven’t we all - even as adults! - blamed our parents for things that weren’t remotely their fault?

God is the ultimate Father, knowing that in your hurt you will sometimes unjustly blame Him, and will always be waiting with open arms to accept your apology.

Don’t worry too much.

 

[Liberanosamalo]

May I suggest you pray especially to Pope John Paul II, who would understand your pain only too well. God took his parents and his brother and sister by the time he was 21. Everyone was gone. God took his family to prepare him for becoming a father to the world’s largest family. He could not have seen that when he was young. But rather than become angry at God, he learned to depend on God more and became a holier, more devout and saintly man.

I would just suggest that his loving intercession may be of assistance to you in your pain. He loves you also and maybe his example could be of help. God bless you. Sometimes it’s really hard to understand God’s plan for us. Satan wants us to be filled with negativity and blame.

 

[Newbie2]

I will always confess this, as it is not my usual self towards God, certainly. But, every now and then, I get angry with Him that my parents were taken from me at such an early age…I pray through these times, and then the negative spirit, if you will, is lifted off of me. Do you think that this is the devil trying to pull my strings, as he so very much wants us to be angry with God? I told Him how sorry I was for feeling anger towards Him today, but I wonder if this is normal, at times?

Yep. You’re not alone.

 

[puzzleannie]

the psalmists did this too, so it can be a legitimate form of prayer to express anger at God, or at least anger at circumstances in your life for which God appears to be responsible, or which he is not addressing in a manner you would wish. Recourse to the psalms is the best prayer when we are in this mode, IMO.

 

[whatevergirl]

May I suggest you pray especially to Pope John Paul II, who would understand your pain only too well. God took his parents and his brother and sister by the time he was 21. Everyone was gone. God took his family to prepare him for becoming a father to the world’s largest family. He could not have seen that when he was young. But rather than become angry at God, he learned to depend on God more and became a holier, more devout and saintly man.

I would just suggest that his loving intercession may be of assistance to you in your pain. He loves you also and maybe his example could be of help. God bless you. Sometimes it’s really hard to understand God’s plan for us. Satan wants us to be filled with negativity and blame.

Oh my–I did not know this…I will do that…thank you for sharing this with me.

 

[whatevergirl]

the psalmists did this too, so it can be a legitimate form of prayer to express anger at God, or at least anger at circumstances in your life for which God appears to be responsible, or which he is not addressing in a manner you would wish. Recourse to the psalms is the best prayer when we are in this mode, IMO.

You hit the nail on the preverbial head, annie. Yes, it’s not that I am angry with God, and expect Him to grant my every wish…whim, and desire. More it’s that I don’t understand when things seem to drag out…or where there are injustices to the faithful, yet the unfaithful seem to walk through life unscathed. I always revert to*** following Jesus won’t be easy***. I know that as Christians, we will be tested more than non Christians. The devil has many people in his backpocket, and he wants us, too. So, I have to be cautious that I don’t allow my anger at some things in life, to consume me.

Thanks for your post!