Mad at God

Psalm 119:1-24 • Psalm 12, 13, 14
Job 6:1,7:1-21 • Acts 10:1-16 • John 7:1-13

“God, leave me alone!” is Job’s cry. He is haunted and suffering. Bad dreams and long sleepless nights of tossing. Illness that will not improve. His only way out is death.

Job cries to God, “I shall lie in the earth; you will seek me, but I shall not be.” Death will be his relief from suffering and also his escape from God’s hand.

Job is honest. No pious “prayer language.” Job blasts God with his real anger and hurt. He shows us how to speak forthrightly to God. We can tell God anything.

When we are angry or hurt, it is helpful to direct our fury toward God. God is big enough to take it. If we project our anger and hurt on another human being, we are likely to hurt or confuse that person. If we project our anger and hurt inwardly, we are likely to become depressed. The healthiest and safest way to express our deepest and most conflictive emotions is to direct them to God in fierce honesty.

Sometimes we hear nothing in response.

Sometimes we sense that though we hear nothing, God is still there. God does not depart just because we have challenged God.

Occasionally we sense a response. In the book of Job, we hear Job’s complaints, and we will wait a long time for God’s response. Eventually, Job will experience God face to face, and Job will be transformed.

Only God is big enough to take our most extreme emotions. It is a good thing to communicate them to God honestly.

Written by Lowell Grisham

Lowell Grisham is grateful for the creative ways St. Paul's is continuing its life and ministries during this pandemic.