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coolcatholicguy
Guest
I have a problem. I sometimes feel like I am giving the middle finger to God. How do I free myself from this?
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Scoobyshme
Guest
Go to Confession and do lots of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. Become humble.
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presidentjlh
Guest
It’s simple: Don’t. 
Okay, it’s more complex than that, but you basically have to ignore/rebuke those feelings. Think to yourself, “What would you gain by insulting the Lord? A fleeting moment of feeling rebellious?” Is that worth insulting the One that made all that there is, that came down from Heaven, died on a cross for you, and literally went into hell and destroyed the power of Satan? Think about it, you’re flipping off someone who saved your life, really. If you were trapped in a burning house, and a firefighter saved you, would you flip that firefighter off? Of course not. So why would you flip off someone who saved all mankind?
Okay, it’s more complex than that, but you basically have to ignore/rebuke those feelings. Think to yourself, “What would you gain by insulting the Lord? A fleeting moment of feeling rebellious?” Is that worth insulting the One that made all that there is, that came down from Heaven, died on a cross for you, and literally went into hell and destroyed the power of Satan? Think about it, you’re flipping off someone who saved your life, really. If you were trapped in a burning house, and a firefighter saved you, would you flip that firefighter off? Of course not. So why would you flip off someone who saved all mankind?
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Newbie2
Guest
Did you ever see the movie, “The Apostle”?
GREAT MOVIE!!!
The main character (played by Robert Duvalle) is a southern evangelical preacher who’s wife is cheating on him. One night he just railes at God, he not knowing what to do about the situation and feeling very frustrated toward the Almighty.
I think it’s perfectly OK to tell God we’re angry at him when we are angry or frustrated at or with him…as long as we ask him to help us understand whatever it is that is causing us to feel anger at him.
But the gesture of contempt…the “one finger salute”…ah, that’s a different thing.
Go watch the movie. You might gain some insight in getting angry at the Almighty. I did. If not, at least it’s a worthwhile movie to watch.
GREAT MOVIE!!!
The main character (played by Robert Duvalle) is a southern evangelical preacher who’s wife is cheating on him. One night he just railes at God, he not knowing what to do about the situation and feeling very frustrated toward the Almighty.
I think it’s perfectly OK to tell God we’re angry at him when we are angry or frustrated at or with him…as long as we ask him to help us understand whatever it is that is causing us to feel anger at him.
But the gesture of contempt…the “one finger salute”…ah, that’s a different thing.
Go watch the movie. You might gain some insight in getting angry at the Almighty. I did. If not, at least it’s a worthwhile movie to watch.
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coolcatholicguy
Guest
I’m not actually trying to do it, but I sometimes feel like my middle finger is above the rest when I’m, for example, throwing a baseball, and I feel guilty about that.
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Newbie2
Guest
Oh, you mean literally as in accidentally pointing the middle finger toward God? I thought you meant that you thought that at times you were very angry at God and…well…were giving him “the finger”.
Don’t give it a second thought unless you’re purposefully flipping God the bird. 
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presidentjlh
Guest
Basically that, we all have extended our middle finger upwards before without meaning it to be an insult. If it’s not meant to be an insult, it’s not a sin.Oh, you mean literally as in accidentally pointing the middle finger toward God? I thought you meant that you thought that at times you were very angry at God and…well…were giving him “the finger”.
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Edward_H
Guest
Conversion. Convert, with God those moments, into something beautiful.
Use that physical nanosecond to “wave to God” with that extended finger instead…bring Him into your consciousness and into your thoughts. Remind yourself who gave you that wonderful finger…and think of all the good work that you can do for Him with that wonderful middle finger. Use that middle finger as a way of “raising your hand” volunteering to serve Him in some small way over the next hour or so.
Convert worry and scrupulous-like thoughts to adoration, thanksgiving, and ask God to convert those nanoseconds into short talks with Him. Typing a thank you note, bringing someone some coffee, waving to a friend as you pray a short prayer for them. All of these are acts of Conversion and Sanctifying the moment with God.
Bless you for your detailed thinking.
Use that physical nanosecond to “wave to God” with that extended finger instead…bring Him into your consciousness and into your thoughts. Remind yourself who gave you that wonderful finger…and think of all the good work that you can do for Him with that wonderful middle finger. Use that middle finger as a way of “raising your hand” volunteering to serve Him in some small way over the next hour or so.
Convert worry and scrupulous-like thoughts to adoration, thanksgiving, and ask God to convert those nanoseconds into short talks with Him. Typing a thank you note, bringing someone some coffee, waving to a friend as you pray a short prayer for them. All of these are acts of Conversion and Sanctifying the moment with God.
Bless you for your detailed thinking.
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