Angry with God | SermonIndex

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IWantAnguish Oct 21, 2009

Curious as to how many on these forums have ever been angry with God.

Must admit I am currently becoming disillusioned, and regret praying 'God, at any cost, make me more like Jesus Christ.'

I do not know how Noah managed to preach for over 100 years without 1 convert.

How do Calvinists resolve the tension between election and praying for souls?

I know the time will come when I will have a Job experience, where I repent in dust and ashes, and look up to heaven with my hand over my mouth...

sermonindex Oct 21, 2009

Your post is neat, as I just started in Job this morning.

What a Book, I cant even find human words to say what I feel, or ponder in Messiah.

angry with God? No. Wishing for a "Job" experience? No. All we can do (obviously) is Trust in Him, and keep our faith simple and dependent, child-like. Thats where the Holy Spirit is leading me.

much love in Jesus, neil

sermonindex Oct 21, 2009

Hi. I feel your pain brother. I sometimes feel run through the proverbial ringer and start feeling bitterness start to grab root. I get disillusioned when I see chaos and rampant deception seemingly coming like a flood and wonder what is going on. Physically I've taken a pounding and wonder if I can live up to all of my obligations as a Father, Husband, employee, and lastly but certainly foremost in my life a Man of God. Total failure seems like one small event away... And although it's not good to feel this way, I can't deny it's existence.

I'm not going to get into the Calvanist theology but I do know that there should be no such tension. Please the consider the following:

Christ said to pray for those who persecute you.

Stephen prayed for Paul's soul and forgave everyone who persecuted him before his death.

Paul subsequently was knocked off his horse and asked 'Saul, why do you persecute me?'. This was all before the doctrine of election as Paul had yet to write the Epistles. Obviously Stephen was ignorant of this doctrine and only adhered to what Jesus taught about praying for those who persecute you. If Stephen had this doctrine of election and let it be a source of tension, then I don't know if the prayer of Stephen could have wielded so much power in faith. If the command is to pray then nothing should stand in the way. Faith in God's ability to do what He says He can supercedes any doctrine that may render confusion on the matter.

L

Leo_Grace Oct 21, 2009

Angry with God? Why? After all He's done for you; with all the love He has for you? Why?

I have often felt deep anger at myself for my many failures, for what could have been if I had been more focused on God and His plan for my life, but I have never found reason to be angry with God. He has always been loving and true.

There have been times when I have felt crushed and helpless, and I am actually in such a situation now... but the promises in God's Word, and the faithfulness of His love have been proven to me time and again in the past. The memories of how God came through for me so many times before, how he turned my mourning into joy in wonderful and unexpected ways, these are the things that remind me of His unfathomable wisdom and love. They are proof for me that God is dependable and will come through for me in the end. Oftentimes I turn to His Word. Psalm 23 has always been a soothing balm for me in difficult times.

K

KingJimmy Oct 21, 2009

Curious as to how many on these forums have ever been angry with God.

I've been angry with God at least twice in my life. And I do mean angry. Not in a defiant way where I had some clinched hand raised at God blaspheming Him. It might sound spiritual to say, "Oh, how can a man get angry at God?" But, we read of the prophets getting such towards God. Jeremiah was so bold as to call the Lord a deceptive and untrustworthy stream on one occasion.

Sometimes, I think it is perfectly natural and ok to be angry with God. In fact, I think it is down right spiritual. If we can't get mad at Him, then it shows we probably aren't really in a strong relationship with him to begin with. Even Jesus felt this: "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

F

FireinmyBones1 Oct 21, 2009

Dear brother, all I can say is that you MUST rediscover the power of the New Covenant. It is not your inheritance as a Son of God to partake of only the sorrows of the Master. You are also called to partake of His Bliss and Joy. One without the other will kill.

John the Baptist (the last and greatest of OT prophets) came singing th funeral dirge of the Old Covenant. Jesus came, however, playing the flute of joy and holy mirth! (Matthew 11) Our lives need not be typified by disilluionment, anger, resentment, morbid introspection or any other such gloomy vice. This is not the lot and predetermined path of the "revivalist". The great bliss given us in Jesus Christ enables us to both mourn and weep at the same time. It is like Adam's calling to "work the ground" whilst "eating freely" from any tree in the garden. ONLY "eating freely" would have resulted in selfishness; ONLY "working the ground" would have been a curse. In fact, that WAS the curse pronounced upon Adam! To work the ground whilst REMOVED from the Presence of God in the Garden of Pleasure.

Once our labors become divorced from Divine pleasure, spiritual death is always the natural result. Remember, the Lord never muzzles the ox while it is treading out the grain. Even though God may have called you to painful intercession and agonizing prayer, He has also called you to partake of hilarious joy and eternal pleasure!

The great intercessor John Hyde, who DEEPLY partook of the Lord's sufferings, would also, intermittently break out into hilarious laughter and joy--even while agonizing over souls! The Lord has more than enough joy and pleasure available to sustain us in all things! Anguish alone cannot and will not sustain a man. You have a deep love for God and a heart that is pure in many ways--but divorced from the pleasures found in Christ, anguish and sorrow alone will bring spiritual death.

Just my thoughts,
God bless you my dear brother!
Jeff

sermonindex Oct 21, 2009

I know how you feel too it seems nobody wants to listen and even cares except the real christians themselves. I recently sent a video to almost 80 people on facebook warning them about the wrath to come a short 6 minute clip by paul washer and not one person responded, it seems no one cares. You look at this present day age and with all the sin on t.v, movies, entertainment in general, with drugs and alcohol and the obsession with sports that nobody wants to listen and they won't unless a great working of the holy spirit and a willingness by us to be a trumpet to everyone not watering down what we say but full biblical truth allowing the holy spirit to work. We must be in constant prayer and separate from the world.

S

sojourner7 Oct 21, 2009

Angry with GOD ?? Not at all. Many times I have
been ashamed and disappointed in myself, my failings
and my weaknesses; but never disappointed or
ashamed of GOD.
Noah was a preacher of righteousness, He pronounced
judgment and declared GOD'S righteousness to a
wicked world, they would not receive the truth!!
Jeremiah had cause to complain to GOD; and GOD
took notice and paid heed to his lamentations.
I am only clay, and HE is the Potter. Remember
that!!

H

HeartSong Oct 21, 2009

If we can't get mad at Him, then it shows we probably aren't really in a strong relationship with him to begin with.

Jimmy, I beg to differ with you here, dear brother. Please pray and consider what it is that you have written. While getting "mad" may be o.k. - I can see no way that getting mad ~~[i][u]~~at Him[/u][/i] is acceptable on any level - for that is rebellion and rebellion brings about ~~[i]~~separation[/i].

K

KingJimmy Oct 21, 2009

Jimmy, I beg to differ with you here, dear brother. Please pray and consider what it is that you have written. While getting "mad" may be o.k. - I can see no way that getting mad at Him is acceptable on any level - for that is rebellion and rebellion brings about separation.

Having been angry with God twice in my life (and being very surprised at such an emotion being felt), and really pondered the feeling very deeply, in light of Scripture, I believe the feeling to be an acceptable feeling. The anger I'm thinking of is not rebellion or wrath. It's the utter disappointment and heartbreak one feels when one expected God to do one thing, only to be served something else. Jeremiah felt this in his prophetic ministry in light of the plight of Jerusalem. Jesus felt this in his ministry as He hung on the cross. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" is what such a thing looks like.

L

Leo_Grace Oct 21, 2009

KingJimmy said:

Sometimes, I think it is perfectly natural and ok to be angry with God. In fact, I think it is down right spiritual. If we can't get mad at Him, then it shows we probably aren't really in a strong relationship with him to begin with.

Really? That's like saying that it's spiritual for a believer to leave the light and walk in darkness for a while - that all believers should do this. I do hope you don't preach this heresy to others.

~~[i]~~1Co 13:4-7 ~~[b]~~Love is patient[/b], love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ~~[b]~~It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered[/b], it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, ~~[b]~~always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.[/b][/i]

Do you love God?

But, we read of the prophets getting such towards God. Jeremiah was so bold as to call the Lord a deceptive and untrustworthy stream on one occasion.

And are you recommending this as a good example to follow? David was God's prophet and king, and he walked in darkness for a while when he committed adultery with Bathsheeba, and murdered her husband, one of his loyal mighty men. Since King David, the man after God's own heart, did this, is it then spiritual to follow his example?

Please pray before you answer.

M

MaryJane Oct 21, 2009

Greetings

Before I was saved(when I had head knowledge of Jesus only) I went through a time when I was angry with God. I went through some time of depression and rebellion towards the Lord feeling that I had endured so much heart ache and pain in my life that I had a right to be angry with God for allowing these things to happen to me. I can not even count the number of times when I cried about how unfair things were.

Thinking back on that now all I can say(for me personally) was what a bunch of "SELF" I was living in. Instead of seeking Him through those times I allowed self to rule my heart and I was sinning against the Lord with my attitude and choices. Now that I know Jesus and walk with Him, having a personal relationship with the person Jesus I am ashamed that I ever had those thoughts or attitudes. Now when I look to the cross and see all that He has done for me, all that He has endured for me, I realize that my painful experiences pale in comparison to His own by so much. I realize that even when I was in what I thought were my darkest hours Jesus was always with me. Even when I behaved as a spoiled demanding brat He was there correcting me,loving me, and caring for me. I have repented for ever thinking the thoughts that I had. Who was I to think that I had a right to demand anything of the Lord? His holiness, His righteousness is beyond my human understanding, how could I ever presume to stand before Him and hold anger toward Him as if He had done some kind of wrong to me? Now all I can see is my beloved Jesus on that cross, my sin having placed Him there, and my heart just weeps over my sin and weakness. His love for me is so consuming that I can not help but love Him in return.

God is so good though, and His love and mercy covers me and I know that He strengthens me during all of life trails. I have had times when I feel over whelmed and have come under attack, but I take those thoughts captive to the Lord now and I rejoice because He is faithful, He is capable, and He will see me through in all things.

God Bless
maryjane

H

HeartSong Oct 21, 2009

The anger I'm thinking of is not rebellion or wrath. It's the utter disappointment and heartbreak one feels when one expected God to do one thing, only to be served something else. . . . Jesus felt this in his ministry as He hung on the cross. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"

This does not line up, for Jesus ~~[b]~~knew[/b] that He would be forsaken.

It is in the expectation that the problem arises and it is in the expectation that our selfishness is exposed. Our anger should be at ourselves, not God. It should be at ourselves for wanting anything that might be outside of the will of God. It should be at ourselves for not crucifying that which is of the flesh.

T

tjservant Oct 21, 2009

If we can't get mad at Him, then it shows we probably aren't really in a strong relationship with him to begin with. Even Jesus felt this: "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Are you saying Jesus was mad...as in angry?

R

rbanks Oct 21, 2009

Heartsong I must say that I am in some agreement with you here. I haven’t commented in a while about anything on this forum but I felt a need to here.

Jimmy, I have enjoyed a lot you have written and realize that you are well schooled in many areas but I have also noticed you seem to have an answer to just about everything. I have notice that you can make a strong comment and reprimand just about anyone even David Wilkerson when you have not been able to walk in his shoes nor have you had the burden that he carries in the Lord. Now here you have made a judgment call concerning whether people have a strong relationship with the Lord.

Brother I have a strong relationship with the Lord, but I want it to be even stronger, and I would be afraid to make some of the comments you have made. I fear and Love God at the same time, and to have a strong relationship with Him, we would have to be living and walking in the Spirit. I don’t see how a person could be mad with God unless he was in the flesh. God does not operate according to our agenda so there should be no forcing God to do what we want him to do, for that would be of the flesh. We are to submit to God and not God submitting to us.

I don’t know why you would use the scripture were Jesus was asking his Father from the cross why He had forsaken him as to try to imply that He was mad with his Father. Again I would fear the very thought of wanting anyone to even think that way.

Brother you may know more about theology but I will have to disagree.

Blessings to all!

sermonindex Oct 21, 2009

I think this may be going somewhere that it shouldn't. King Jimmy tried to qualify by stating this:

"The anger I'm thinking of is not rebellion or wrath. It's the utter disappointment and heartbreak one feels when one expected God to do one thing, only to be served something else."

It seems to me to be a response of desperation, a response that can come from coming to the utter brink of your humanity. Some people who have lost a loved one in a tragic situation can go through a period of wrestling with God based on utter heartbreak. It may be technically selfish but it's not not malicious rebellion. I remember one guy crying out 'Why!! Why!!' in response to his sons sudden and tragic death. He was breathing heavily and looked very angry... but in this emotion God stayed patient with him... God can see the beginning from the end... end from beginning so this was no shocker to Him. This is not condoning anger towards God but realizing our weakness and inability to always react in the most righteous and ideal fashion. I don't see anyone saying it's okay to go into malicious angry rebellion as if it is the hate of our heart towards God that drives our emotion. It is the acknowledgement of human weakness pushed to the limit and reacting out of that. Nothing premeditated, nothing malicious.

King Jimmy and Mary Jane are both saved by the grace of God DESPITE their anger. In this I rejoice. If this was/is a sin then who wants to throw the stone of their righteousness that took grace to forgive them of their sin... which the bible says is the same as breaking all the laws.

We are all examples of God's grace, anger that is exposed as King Jimmy described it, is not outside of this.

sermonindex Oct 21, 2009

why is everyone getting on Jimmy?...or wait, excuse me, "rebuking" Jimmy? You might disagree with him, but......

And are you recommending this as a good example to follow? David was God's prophet and king, and he walked in darkness for a while when he committed adultery with Bathsheeba, and murdered her husband, one of his loyal mighty men. Since King David, the man after God's own heart, did this, is it then spiritual to follow his example?

that's an example of why there is little profit of just unmasking one's self and being real and authentic on this forum. If you're not christian-ish, and say yes and amen to all the right and sound doctrine....

woe unto you, walter might descend upon you, call ya a "liberal", and pin the whole destruction of the Gospel message on your head, thats what he told me I'm responsible for.

:-o

we should be more easy with each other...or not.

sermonindex Oct 21, 2009

nice post, you sure said that a whole lot better than I did.

L

Leo_Grace Oct 21, 2009

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"

This was Jesus' cry of anguish, not of anger, as he felt the full weight of the Father's holy wrath.

I

IWantAnguish Oct 21, 2009

Perhaps I have been approaching the Kingdom of God from the wrong direction...

God commanded the Old Testament prophets to preach to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, a message of repentance... while He knew they would not repent.

Jesus stood outside of Jerusalem, and cried out, 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!.'

My question was, how do we resolve the tension of the Father's role of election, and the sovereign work of the Spirit of God, and prayer for the souls of loved ones who will not turn to the Truth...

What I have learned so far from scripture is that prayer is an attitude of approach to the throne of God, opposed to attempting to change the will of God...

Maybe I really am a humanist at heart, preaching the word of God more for the salvation of people rather than God being glorified through preaching whether people go to hell or not...