Are You Angry with God?

Now that you’ve asked, wait for the answer.

Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash

Back when I was a child and well into my youthful days, there were times I got resentful and even annoyed with my dad. But he loved me still. At first, I didn’t understand him. Maturity and wisdom usually come with advancing years. I was in my late teens before I started to understand and appreciate the “father’s love” behind how he treated me.

It then comes as no surprise that feelings of resentment may occasionally arise in some Christians' hearts towards their heavenly Father.

When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
~ Mark Twain

Examples of those who got annoyed with God

Jonah. Why? Because he was certain God will forgive his nation’s (that is Israel) tormentors if those oppressors heeded God's warnings (at Jonah's preaching), repent, and turn from their wicked ways. >Jonah 3:10 - 4:3>l

10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

2 And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

3 Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

~ Jonah 3: 10–4 :3

There came a time when another guy, Elijah the fiery prophet got "annoyed" at as it was his boss — God Almighty. Why? He thought he was the last man standing for God and righteousness. Yet, it seemed God wasn't bordered that ungodly and spineless King Ahab and his equally wicked wife, Jezebel, were seeking for his head. Did God got annoyed at Elijah’s petulance?

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

~ 1 Kings 19:4, 14

Yet, one more holy man who got "angry" at God was Job. Here was a man who was on God's side, did everything right according to God's will. Yet, God seemed to look the other way while he, Job his faithful servant was being hammered by endless troubles.

23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?

~ Job 13:23–24

Can mortal man ever presume to be annoyed with Almighty Immortal Holy God?

When I first posed this question, it was met with angst. "What a blasphemy?" Some of my Christian friends took me to task. "What a sacrilegious question?" That may well have been the response of many who misunderstood my posit.

Repeatedly, what I posed as a subject for healthy discussion was dismissed as being unfit for discussion. Finally, the post was taken off by the subredditor.

I have reposted the initial post here, Howbeit, with further clarifications in the hope it will help the brethren to understamd my perspectives.

Has there not been times when these secret anguished cries and pleas of frustration spring from the depths of many Christian's hearts when faced with afflictions?

Then our anguished cries,

"O God, why the delay? Why haven't you answered my prayers?"

“Why didn't you stop my loved one from dying?"

“You know I've been living from hand-to-mouth these past many months. Why didn't you give me that job?"

“Why? Why? Why? …."

Many have taken to outright rebellion against God Almighty because of unanswered questions such as these.

Others have resorted to atheism because of God's seemingly nonchalant attitude to the problems of evil and His "sustained" absence when they had needed Him most.

But with time, we come to appreciate His infinite love and goodness towards His children in all things, both good and bad.

That was the experience of Jonah, Elijah, Job and many others in the Bible days.

In our contemporary times, many believers have found out that God's silence doesn't mean rejection and unconcern.

Unfortunately, unlike the aforementioned Old Testament men of God, many believers are too impatient to listen and wait for God's answers and blessings.

One thing I am certain of is this: if my earthly father still loves and care for me despite my ignorance and childish rebellion, how much more my loving Heavenly Father, if only I will repent and keep trusting Him - no matter what?

Unfortunately, unlike the aforementioned Old Testament men of God, many believers are too impatient to listen and wait for God’s answers and blessings.

One thing I am certain of is this: if my earthly father still loves and care for me despite my ignorance and childish rebellion, how much more my loving Heavenly Father, if only I will repent and keep trusting Him — no matter what?

What then are we to do?

Simply keep on trusting in the Lord.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by,
Trusting Him, whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

~ Edgar Page, 1876

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

~ Romans 8:28

Remember, Job, in his afflictions, thought God was against Him unjustly. At last, the veil was lifted and he (we) saw God's love and power at work.

AFTERWORD

For me, Dr. John I. Snyder answered this question - “Angry with God?” excellently well in his book.

©John I. Snyder, Resenting God - Escaping the Downward Spiral of Blame. Abingdon Press, 2018

Thank you for reading.

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