You need to hold tight to your faith when you're mad at God. These encouraging Bible verses and quotes will help you to like you're not alone in your anger and will help you to get to a better place.
I wrote this post when I was mad at God. I had just gotten some very bad news, as you will read below, and I was angry at the way His plan was playing out. I'm not angry anymore, but I am sad and very much grieving the way things might have been if MY plan had played out instead of His. I wanted to preface this post with a note that I still don't know if it's okay to be angry with God, but I think it is always okay to cry out to him and especially so in times of great emotion. I hope my words below bring peace to you in the difficult situation you're in.
Friend, are you mad at God? You are not alone. I am mad at Him, too, and you are about to read about other people (in the Bible!) who have been mad at Him, too.
I got bad news today. I don't want to go into the details of the bad news, but suffice it to say that I was looking forward to something very much, and then I found out at the last minute that it wasn't going to happen. Not only was the thing I was looking forward to doing not going to happen, but I was going to have to do something else that I didn't really want to do, possibly for a long time.
I know that God has a plan in this. I know He does. I trust Him. I trust that His plan is bigger and better than my plan, and I trust that He has a reason for what happened.
And I am really, really mad at Him.
I am mad at Him for giving me a desperate longing and no way to fulfill it.
I am mad at Him for giving me hope that my longing would be fulfilled, and then taking that hope away at the last minute.
I am mad at Him for disappointing me, though this goes so far past disappointment that I almost can't call it that.
I am mad at Him for making me so very sad.
I am mad at Him for making my children so very sad.
In my brain, I can see where the thing I wanted so much might not have worked out perfectly. I can see where it might even have been a disaster, and maybe He is saving me from that. Maybe He has a reason for making me do the thing I don't want to do. (Maybe? Most certainly He does.)
Maybe He is going to give me the thing my heart longs for after I wait a while. I cling to hope that is the case. I have been reading and journaling through Wait and See to find some encouragement in my wait.
Joe and my friends tell me that my prayers will be answered, although I don't know if they just want to make me feel better or if they really believe it to be true.
Anyway, I am mad at God, and I only know three things to do in this unfamiliar situation: pray, seek support from other people, and read the Bible.
Pray
Prayer is always the answer. Always, always, always. Pray without ceasing, right?
But unfortunately, telling God about my anger did not make me feel better. It didn't soothe my hurting heart or dry up my bitter tears. It just led me further and further into despair. I felt like I would have to wait for what feels like forever. (More on prayer below.)
Seek Support from Others
So I turned to my husband and a trusted friend. They were earnestly encouraging, but their sentiments didn't turn my heart from its dark path.
Next, I turned to the Word.
Read the Bible
David was a man who waited. At different times, he felt abandoned by God. He was angry. He was lonely. He didn't know what the future would hold for him, but he knew he was being hunted by his enemies. He cried out to God to rescue him. He cried out to God when he was sad, lonely, and angry. His words remind me that I'm not alone in these feelings.
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. -Psalm 22:1-3
O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. -Psalm 3:1-6
How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions! Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people. -Psalm 35:17-18
“O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! -Psalm 42:9-11
One thing to note in the above verses is that David always praised God at the end. He cried out, protested, and then thanked and praised Him for His goodness and mercy. David never ended on a sour note (like I want to).
Job had good reasons to be angry with God; He allowed Satan to torment Job. The enemy took his health, his wealth, and even his precious family. He suffered, alone and in pain. He too cried out to God and even questioned Him. God did not respond very well to these questions.
All of Job 3 is a lament from Job, but a few specific verses stand out:
“Oh, why give light to those in misery, and life to those who are bitter? They long for death, and it won't come. They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.” -Job 3:20-21
“Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties? I cannot eat for sighing; my groans pour out like water. What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes.” -Job 3:23-26
My situation is nothing compared to what Job endured, but his sentiments still ring true for me.
I'm not going to debate whether it is a sin to be angry with God. I don't know the answer, and people smarter than me don't know the answer either.
Anger and bitterness are two noticeable signs of being focused on self and not trusting God's sovereignty in your life. When you believe that God causes all things to work together for good to those who belong to Him and love Him, you can respond to trials with joy instead of anger or bitterness. -John C. Boger
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. -Psalms 37:8
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. -Proverbs 14:29
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. -Proverbs 19:11
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. -Ecclesiastes 7:9
But I do know that I felt better when I confessed my anger in prayer (which was different than my original prayer telling God about my anger) and then asked Him to lift it from my shoulders.
Oh Lord. I have been angry with you, and I am ready to be done with it. I am sorry, Lord. I know you know better than me what is best, and I know you have only the best in store for me. I want to trust you. I want to believe in your promises. Help me Lord. Come alongside me and lift me up as only You can. Be the shield around me and lift my head high. I give you great thanks, Lord, for all the wonderful things you've done for me and all the blessings yet to come. I praise your holy name now and for ever.
Amen.
He did lift the weight from my shoulders.
I'm not saying that I don't still feel like crying over the whole thing. I do. I'm not going to say that I'm not hurt. I am. But I can now see with a little more clarity that God's plan is for my good, and the thing that I wanted so desperately wasn't the right thing for me right now.
Can you get to that place after having read the verses above and prayed the prayer? Maybe you can, maybe you can't. Maybe you will need to pray more or talk with your pastor or study more verses. Maybe you need to confide in a trusted friend or journal (seriously, writing this post was exactly what my raw emotions needed).
My point in all these suggestions is that you can't wallow in your anger at God. You can't let it fester and work at you until you no longer trust Him or want to spend time with Him or grow in your relationship with Him.
He always has a plan, friend, and it is always for good. You have to believe that.
Let's end with one more prayer, a prayer of thanksgiving and from the one and only King David (adapted from 1 Chronicles 17:16-27).
Heavenly Father, I am not worthy of what you have already done for me. Yet now you are doing even more; you have made promises to me, and you are already treating me like someone great. What more can I say to you? You know me well, and yet you honor me. Lord, there is none like you; I have always known that you along are God. Thank you Lord for everything.
In Jesus' name, Amen
Grab these Bible verses for when you're mad at God in a convenient black and white printable below. You can work on memorizing and meditating on them, one at a time.
Here's another blog post with Bible verses about anger and resentment, not specific to God but in any circumstance.
If you need help with a system for memorizing verses, check out this post on our family's memorization habit.
Sybil says
I was angry with GOD too. I wanted something badly, it fell through. I was in pain. I thought my faith would break. Soon enough I realized it was the enemy using the situation to sow distrust in GOD. Luke 22: 31-34 Jesus warned Peter satan wanted to sift him. I asked Jesus to pray for me the same way he did Peter. I also read Psalm 66. GOD allows us to go through many tests to purify us. In the end He brings us into rich fulfillment. In the end, GOD was right in His decision. It was for the best. He knows the past, present, and future.
Fancy Simister says
Thanks for this...i am having a hard time with my anger towards Him
Rebecca says
Thank you its good to know that im not alone.
Shristi says
I thank you.it was a great help.God bless you
Lisa Lottes says
Thank you.
Lesley says
I am so mad at God right now. I trusted, I believed, I patiently waited.... To lose it all. Today my faith is so little, today I hurt so much!
hope says
Lesley, Joy comes in the morning. God can still turn it around for your good. Sometimes the quickest way through a mountain is a tunnel and it might be dark now but you are closer to your victory! Blessings.
Hope
Fancy Simister says
In same boat..pray..
Martha says
I am not mad at God, just impatient for I've been suffering in pain too long and i don't know how much more my body can take this physical and mental pain, please pray for me in the name of Jesus Christ.
Dierdra (Dee) Fagan says
Praying for you Martha.
Jill Patterson says
I am mad that god has blessed everyone in mine and my husband's family with wealth, kids and a good job while me and my husband have to suffer financially and emotionally. Also the attention everyone gets with having kids. Both my mother and his have there grandkids pictures plastered all over the wall and his mom doesn't even have a picture of us up. I've also been depressed and sick of living in this personal hell. I am tortured everyday by this life.
kathy key says
you feel like a outsider looking in screaming here i am what about me.i truly know your feelings im 62 an all my life i feel like i am rejected by my family. at this moment i am angry an sad with God i have been wrestling almost a year with pain an rejection from my family an seems like God but threw the years i have learnt that the harder life gets the more we will grow. an yes my family members have been blessed financially so i know how you feel it feels like everyone loves them because they have money. as i study the Bible God doesnt respect the rich more then those that struggle only man does this read the book of james know that i understand a i am praying for you.
Fancy Simister says
good support..
Trish says
Thankyou
Falicity says
My best friend has decided our friendship is unhealthy. But she hasn't told me why or how. I'm upset at her Because she has sort advice from the church before coming to me. I was angry at God because I feel He's supporting her and not me -even though when I look at the situation, I know that's not true. It is His will we are no longer friends. I even had a word from a pastor that this was going to happen (this was a few months ago). I loved my best friend. She was like a sister to me. Now because of the lack of honesty, trust is broken almost completely. I wish I new HOW. It was u healthy, so I could give her an explanation and try to figure it out. She never told me anything. And because she has the support of her church (I don't go to her church), I feel God has abandoned me and supported her instead. I just feel so alone...I live on my own- I have noone.
Kelvin says
I am mad but I can't blame God because it's my choice to persevere on even though it has been difficult. These few years, I have been persecuted by family and relatives for my faith in Christ. I have done what I can, from waking up at 2am to pray till 3am. Still I was hated by relatives and family. I don't know why God let all these happen. I had no one to talked to, so I prayed and God was silent. I don't know what else I can do. Felt so helpless.
kathy key says
Dear brother the devil knows very will how to break our hearts an most of the time it is threw the people that is suppose to love us.it is so hard to understand an we feel alone an rejected the more we pray the more we feel God isnt listening he is, but sometimes we have to walk away for awhile from hurtful people an set our eyes on Jesus this can be the hardest thing to do ,but it will let you see things more clearer.i am praying for you.
Alice Walker says
I disagree with the idea that terrible things are planned by God for us. I think God doesn't cause the things to happen but He is steadfast with us through our suffering. And He can use these terrible things for our good. Our suffering can bring us spiritual growth and the support and love of others. But I just won't believe He deliberately did these things to me and my family. I refuse to believe that My God is only goodness and mercy.
Rebecca says
Thank you its good to know that Im not alone.
Olive Remoto says
Sometimes im angry with God why God took away all the things i work hard for.i felt like im alwayd starting All over again and again.i prayed but i dont know if hes listening.
janet preus says
It's very encouraging to read people's comments here. It feels great to hear others express their longings and disappointments. I decided yesterday that I just needed to tell God how angry I was at Him, for longings unfulfilled for many years. Logically I know that God is not at fault so I tend to berate myself for these "failures". I do not find the church a very safe place to admit these types of feeling, ppl give pat answers or tend to judge or give shallow advice. We all want to be understood. I can feel ppl's desires and longings as I read your comments, I wish and pray for you all for all your hopes and dreams and desires to come to pass quickly. Lord Jesus, ppl tend to overuse the word breakthrough these days but isn't that what we need! I cry out to You for your goodness and for our disappointment in God to melt. I have felt (maybe some ppl here too) that You loved me less than your other Daughters/Children. I know this isn't true but then I look at all the hardship I've been through and all the unfulfilled dreams an I want to cry. Help me to believe in Your help. Please deliver each and everyone of us in this blog and fulfill our desires according to Your Word. I ask also for a good relationship with You again. It's hard and humbling to come to You with all this pain and feelings of rejection. Give us all joy here Lord Jesus, Give us more than our brothers and sisters who already have their dreams fulfilled. We have waited on You, some of us have endured the scorn of other believers, We have gone without....Deliver us today - Thank you & Love Janet Grace.
Dierdra (Dee) Fagan says
I don't believe I have ever been mad at God. Even when I went through a lot of terrible things after my divorce. There was always something in the shadows, waiting to pay back my tormentor. There were times when I prayed that, if he wasn't going to die, that I would. Our minds can olny handle so much...some more than others. When I was diagnosed with cancer, my doctor said everyone hears the part about having cancer, and they don't hear anything else. I did. I wanted to know everything about my cancer. It's called multiple myeloma, and it's incurable. It's highly treatable, they tell me. I had a stem cell transplant less than 10 months after my diagnosis. It was a miserable time. I had to stay in an apartment beside the hospital and cancer center, and every day I had to get out of bed, and either go to the hospital or the cancer center for some reason. Sometimes I was so sick I didn't want to do anything. It was cold outside, and it irritated me. The entire time, I wasn't mad at God. I questioned why the little kids I saw through my testing and other procedures had to have cancer. God is a loving God. He doesn't give people cancer. It is in our environment, and probably in the foods we buy, and other things. I have heard that certain deodorants and powders cause cancers. There are many things that cause cancer, but God doesn't give it to us as some sort of punishment. I have seen many miracles from God. I will never understand why some people don't believe in Him. I think they really do, but they want someone to prove it beyond the shadow of a doubt, but then, where is Faith? God doesn't want anyone to perish. He wants everyone to repent and go to Him. If you have children, compare the love you have for them to the love God has for everyone. As much as we love our children and grandchildren, as much as we love others, we can never match the love that God has. Would you cause your loved ones to suffer if they did something that made you mad, or went against your rules? God doesn't do that either.
I have read some of the comments. I have never had much, and I'm 55 years old. I'm always happy with what I have. My house is falling in, and only 3 rooms are heated. The kitchen isn't one of them, but I have a roof over my head, a place to sleep, food, blankets, plenty of clothes. I have always felt that, people who have a lot...who are wealthy, or just comfortable in their situations, have a lot now. Some people don't have that. I see posts on Facebook about what people had to eat, pictures of their relaxing and fun vacations, pictures of their family dressed nicely, and having photos taken. I have seen people who have so much more than I have complaining about every little thing. I have heard people spout anger at God when something bad happens, but when something good happens, do they give Him the credit? When we lose a loved one, part of our heart goes with them. It's sad to know that while we are on this earth, we will never see them again. I heard a wise man say, "When we lose someone, they are part of our past, but someday we will all meet in Heaven, so they are also part of our future." I know I'm all over the place with this comment. I have seen a lot of people I love work their entire lives for things they have like boats, vehicles, and nice homes. I have seen those same loved ones suffer the greatest losses when they lost family members, and now those people I love are gone. I realized a long time ago, that no matter how hard you work to have nice things, one day. just like everyone else, you will leave this world and take none of it with you. When I lose everything, I won't lose much because I don't have much. When people who have a lot lose everything, then which of us is better off? I believe that's why God doesn't want us to covet. None of his rules are hard to follow, or at least it doesn't seem like it. I have seen the most evil people I have ever met living in luxury while I suffered and went without. One day they will be gone, the same as everyone else, and what will they do? They will no longer have the things they had that allowed them to put themselves above others. I read something once that said, "After the game is over, the King and the pawn go back into the same box." I like that. Don't let anything get you down. Try to be happy with what you have. If you don't have cancer that is incurable, think of the long-winded 55 year old who is typing this post. I have a grandson who is 12 years old, and he and I have always been so close. He was 8 years old when I was diagnosed with cancer, and he told me, "Mamaw, I prayed God would let you live on this earth for at least two more years until I'm all grown up.". Is it any wonder I love him so much? The entire time I was having treatments and transplants, and I was so sick I didn't care what happened, I prayed for God to let me live at least two years so my grandson could see how good God is. It has been over two years now. I'm still here. I'm not sure how long I will be, but for now, we live in the moment. I have two other grandsons and a granddaughter, and I thank God often for giving them to me. I try to talk to my oldest grandson and tell him God let me live even longer than he asks. Once he said, "Isn't it so awesome what God does for us?". I think I am helping to understand that some day I will have to go. I wonder how my three year old grandson will feel when I'm gone? Every time someone mentions my name to him, he says, "Oh, I dis love her so much!". I'm not mad at God. I love Him so much.
Midge Heard says
Thank you for your heart to be able to share such a personal and contravercial experience. My wife and I are struggling at the moment. We know we have been called to move from Taunton in Somerset England to Bristol about 60 miles away. We have been trying to move for about 12 months now. Every time we think we’re getting close something happens that either takes our finances away, or the houses we look at are taken away.
Recently our car has developed a fault which will now have to be fixed, our Cat has developed a severe skin allergy requiring expensive treatment, and finally we realised yesterday that our fridge has stopped working. I have been really angry with God that the promises and words we have been given by our church family have not been visible in the physical world.
So this morning my wife told me I had to have it out with God. So I shut my self in the lounge and thought about how you complain to someone like God, so I search for being angry with God on the internet he took me here.
Thank you.
My wife and I are now planning a worship session for tonight, so that we can thank him for the things he has already done for us, even if we can’t see them yet.
God bless you abundantly in 2018
Midge & Debs Heard
Esther says
I was angry at God, angry that those I stood with in times of their own hardship now mock me in mine and God is doing nothing. Angry with God for not allowing me to know Him in a way that I can understand and know the answers to the ‘whys’ in my life. Angry that He has blessed me with so much beauty yet am still single. Angry that while others are enjoying a married life with kids , am still trusting God . Angry that He doesn’t act while the world mocks me for not being like them especially when it comes to finding a husband . Angry that I lost my mum when I was young , never experienced the love of a mother or a father . Angry that no matter what I tried , my family is still divided. So angry that I couldn’t pray to him. But my heart was sad that I couldn’t talk to the only God that’s true , the only one who loves me unconditionally , the only one who has the power to answer all my questions and to change my situations , the only one I hope in. I started searching for verses to help me with that anger and I found this. Thanks for the post , it’s such a blessing to me today . I have gone through most of the comments and my heart goes out to all of us, May today be the day our hearts cries reach the ears of our Father . We praise you Jesus , amen.
Marcia says
This has blessed me. Thank you. I am currently going through something and I'm angry. I wrote down all the scriptures and plan on reading and praying honestly to God. Thanks for the help.
Steve W says
My son is having a rough time with the recent death of my father (his grandfather). To be honest, we are all having a hard time with it.
He confided in me that he has lost his faith, so I went searching for verses that help when you are angry with God. I found your post, and it was more than I had hoped for. I wrote my son a lengthy letter about the different crises of faith I have been through, and I included your post. Thank you for publishing your feelings and your faith. It has been a blessing to me, and I am confident it will continue to bless my family.
Angela Hughes says
God reveals Himself to believers through His Word (the Bible) and through His Son (Christ Jesus). The more we study the Bible, the more we come to understand God’s characteristics, the qualities He possesses. As mortals, we struggle to grasp the power and majesty of the God who has created time, space, matter, and all life. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8).
For the purpose of this article, we will focus on three key characteristics of God and the believer’s response to each.
Perhaps the most important characteristic of God is the moral attribute of His holiness. Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8 describe the triple force of God’s holiness: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Only when a person glimpses the holiness of God in comparison to human sinfulness is there any hope for true repentance. When we realize the dreadful consequence of sin and consider that the sinless Son of God suffered our punishment, it brings us to our knees. We are silent before the face of God’s holiness, struck dumb by the reverence such holiness demands. Like Job, we say, “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth” (Job 40:4). Understanding God’s holiness causes us to exalt His compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3), mercy (Romans 9:15), grace, and forgiveness (Romans 5:17) toward us. “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared” (Psalm 130:3–4).
God’s most endearing characteristic is His love. Love requires relationship, and throughout eternity the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have existed together in relationship. God created us in His image, and we were created to be in relationship with Him (Genesis 3:17–18; Romans 1:19–20). Such is the extent of God’s love that He sent his only Son to redeem us from our sins. “This is how we know what love is; Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. God is love. . . . We love because he first loved us” (1 John 3:16–19). God provided the solution to sin in the person of Christ Jesus. Jesus came to take our punishment for sin and to satisfy God’s justice (John 1:1–5, 14, 29). At Calvary, God’s perfect love and perfect justice met. When we begin to grasp the great love of God, our responses are humility, repentance, and reciprocal love. Like King David we pray that God will create in us a pure heart and a steadfast spirit (Psalm 34:18; 51:10, 17). God lives in a high and holy place, but with Him are believers who are contrite and lowly in spirit (Isaiah 57:15).
Finally, we will consider the sovereignty of God (Psalm 71:16; Isaiah 40:10). God is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2). He is the source of all life (Romans 11:33–36). He is independent of His creation (Acts 17:24–28). Abraham, Samuel, Isaiah, Daniel, and David all acknowledged God as their Sovereign Lord: “Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name” (David’s words in 1 Chronicles 29:10–13). The believer honors the Sovereign Lord who has bought us and gladly submits to Him (2 Peter 2:1; James 4:7; Jude 1:4).
King David eloquently summed up the characteristics of God: “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. . . . The Lord on high is mighty. Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord” (Psalm 93:1–2, 4–5).
A few men of faith have been privileged to experience God’s presence, to have God speak directly to them. This is how some of them responded:
Moses asked to see the glory of the Lord, and the Lord agreed to cause all of His goodness to pass in front of Moses. “I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen” (Exodus 33:21–22). Moses’ response was to bow down and worship. Like Moses, the believer will bow down and worship the Lord, filled with awe as we contemplate the glory that is our God.
Job never lost his faith in God, even under the most heartbreaking circumstances that tested him to his core. “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face” (Job 13:15). Job was utterly silenced by God when He spoke to him out of the storm. Job confessed that he spoke of things he did not understand, things too wonderful for him to know. “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:1–6). Like Job, our response to God should be one of humble obedience and trust, submission to His will, whether we understand it or not.
Isaiah had a vision of the Lord seated on his throne and of seraphs who cried out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). So overwhelming was this vision that Isaiah cried out, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:1–5). Isaiah realized he was a sinner in the presence of the Holy God, and his response was repentance. John’s vision of the throne of God in heaven inspired in him great awe. John fell down as if dead at the feet of the glorified Lord (Revelation 1:17–18). Like Isaiah and John, we are humbled in the presence of God’s majesty.
There are many other characteristics of God revealed in the Bible. God’s faithfulness leads us to trust Him. His grace prompts gratitude in us. His power incites awe. His knowledge causes us to ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5). Those who know God will conduct themselves in holiness and honor (1 Thessalonians 4:4–5).
Hope says
I love how Job always feared the Lord and never insulted Him.
I need to have more respect for Him by humbly submitting to his hand. Stop arguing and just accept my lot. Even though I feel like I’ve lost everything, I haven’t. Because He IS everything.
It’s such an awesome power that God is wielding around. He is shaking everything from me that won’t stand. And even though I let him do it,willingly, His power is frightening.
Barb says
Both of my parents have cancer and im disabled and i dont know what is going to happen to us. Im angry at God because i don’t understand this life and all the pain. Im losing faith. My parents have served God most of their lives and they are suffering, we all are. Im angry and sad. Where is a loving God in this situation? Im also afraid to type this cause I don’t want God to be angry at me but i need to let it out.
Michael says
Wow, I am not alone! God has had me in this trial since October 2010. He teaches me and shows me something and I think I'm finally turning a corner and bam right back to square one. The He teaches and shows me something and again my spirit lifts and then bam back to square one. I know He's real I can attest to miracles I've seen Him do through me for others. I've seen others lifted and changed because He worked through me. I know He is the Creator of everything and everything belongs to Him. I have no doubt of who He is. But I no longer have any trust because for the last ten years for every step forward there is a step or two back. He has very, very clearly told me that I cannot say "He doesn't love me". He very clearly told me that is blasphemy. But our situation never improves, my wife suffers, my children suffer financially and physically. I have screamed "what's wrong with You" at Him when I watch defeat again overcome my children. I can take anything but watching my family suffer because He's mad at me. it seems He's so blind mad at me that when He swings at me He misses and hits my wife and children. I don't know how to get out of this, I need a reprieve to see my family flourish for a while so I can have a little peace God.
Sylvianne Coquet says
I yelled at God at the top of my lungs this morning.i thought God is mean to deny what I longed for so much and for so long.i realize this plan is better.but I still hurt over it.
Sylvianne Coquet says
I am still angry
Naomi says
So what do you do when you HAVE gotten to the piont where you no longer trust him, want to spend time with him.
I am at that Point. I feel abandoned
Prince says
I know how you feel. I always ask as to what kind of father allows his children to be constantly abused and then I realise that it's almost like He enjoys the afflictions we go through which is why He allows the same stuff to happen to us. This is in total contrast with what He promises that affliction shall not return a second time which I feel is not true. Look at Paul and his thorn in the flesh.
Seema says
I have been praying and faith is good but I am so tired now. My daughter is suffering every year about depression cancer seizures Anxiety . Is she on this earth to suffer . Be in pain and agony? II was so angry with God that I even cursed at him. I am sorry that I cursed at God . Will God forgive me
Tara Ziegmont says
Of course He will. Cry out to Him now, confess your sins, and ask for His peace and comfort for yourself and your daughter while you wait for His will to be done.
Linda says
I'd be careful about telling people to repent of their sins in this situation. God may have not been totally happy with Job's responses but he was a lot happier with Job's than with Job's "friends," who all basically said the same to Job. But Job hadn't committed an specific sins .,, bad things happen to good people in a fallen world. So, sin (of Adam and the rest of us) is to blame for the bad things that happen, but it isn't always true that the sufferer is to blame any more than you are. Of course, it is always a good practice to repent of any sin you know about in you life before praying and even to ask God to identify any hieeen sin, but we must be cautious about how we say this. This lady has enough sorrow on her plate without feeling like someone on the internet is telling her it's partly her fault. Now, perhaps you didn't mean it that way but as a person who has dealt with a chronic illness for over 30 years, believe me - you hear so many people asking about sin in your life, your level of faith, etc that we who truly care about people must realize what most people need is encouragement, love, acceptance and just to be heard. When we start saying, "Repent," unless we are very, very sure and a person who is in that person's life as a spiritual help and unless s/he is known to us, we should be very cautious about bringing "repentance" into it. David was a man after God's heart, Moses was His friend - both displayed some anger. In some cases, anger is honesty. God doesn't seem to get His feelings hurt as long as He sees an inner heart that is turned toward Himself.
Michele R. says
Of course….I write a whole paragraph and it's lost to a computer glitch. The story of my life for the last 6-7 years. I can count on one hand how many things have seemed to go well, or right. The pain and losses that have been almost an everyday occurrence just don't end. I have yelled at God, begged Him, and asked Him what I am supposed to be doing differently or what it is I am supposed to be learning. No answer. I have gotten to the point where I just wait for the next "bad" thing to happen.....because it will. I ask Him, "why me?" and I know the answer is, "why not me?" The ONE thing in my life that brings me joy is my pet........he's been gone for 2 days and for 2 days I have cried and slept very little. I know he's not coming back because that is how everything goes. I have bargained with God to please, please bring my "Baby" back. I read Job......again. I know there is a reason for all of this. But, I hate my life. I hate not having answers. I am having a hard time even being grateful, and I still have a lot to be grateful for. WHY God???? WHEN will things change? WHAT should I be doing? Will it ever end? I trust He has a plan, but that doesn't stop me from being angry and waiting for the next tragedy or bad thing, small or large, to happen. Yup, they come in all sizes throughout the day. I'm almost completely beaten down. I even tried resorting to martyrdom....."Bring it on. You never give me more than I can handle. Better me than someone else. What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger...…..". Then, sometimes, I purposely sabotage myself because I know whatever it is, it's not going to turn out anyway. At least I know what to expect. I used to be able to turn my life and situations over to Him. I can't remember how to do this anymore. I'm in so much self-pity that I am pitiful. I hardly see the good in things anymore. I had made a list about 4 years ago of all the things that happened that were catastrophes to me. That was before my dad, good friends and favorite relatives died, one of my brothers told me where I could go (my dad told me before he died that I was his best friend), lost my job, have to file bankruptcy, and the list goes on and on. I'm tired. I'm tired of it all. I'm sorry this is so long. It feels positive to let some of these things out. Please say a prayer for my Baby's safe return, or that he wasn't tortured or suffered, if he's gone.
Jack says
I'm not a mom, but a guy who read your article with great interest. My anger lately has been about God seeming distant and SOOOO hard to get to know personally. I have mental illness, and I guess that interferes with relationships (with God and others). Sometimes it is so hard to feel safe, even in church, letting the walls down and letting others in.
Tara Ziegmont says
Hi Jack, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I too suffer from mental illness, and I want you to know that you're not alone in that. Are you seeking treatment? I can tell you from experience that the right medicine and therapy can make a world of difference, and therapy especially will help you to relate to others in a way that is meaningful and satisfying. I have been in therapy with a Christian counselor more or less since my diagnosis almost 7 years ago, and I would not trade it for anything. I know exactly what you mean about letting the walls down and letting others in. I still feel that way in a lot of interactions, even in church as you said, but I can let my therapist in, and that is a start. I wish you the best.
Joanna Yeung says
What an amazing true and honest blog, thank you everyone for sharing. Now I have more insight to what my friend is going through. He is so angry at God and asked 'Why me?' He has not got any answer. In my heart, I know that it is about taking up the cross like Jesus did. Knowing what Jesus did for us on the cross and redeemed our sins. Reaching deep into our hearts and ask God for forgiveness and be grateful for all the grace and love he reign over us. My journey with God was from when my father passed away when I was aged 8, my mum abandoned me but returned at aged 10. Bullied throughout much of my school years. Being emotionally abused in my marriage, denied my sexuality and reproductive right. I am now divorced and childless. I have much to be angry about after years of investment. However, all that was not God's plan for me. I am still blessed in so many ways, I am counting my blessings every day. I pray for the spirit of Job and the holy spirit of love, peace and joy for us all. Put Jesus first in your life, it will change everything. Pray for deliverance from the lies. 'He comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. Jesus came to give us life to its fullest' John 10:10. Rebuke and break the strong hold of sins and the evil one in your lives. Find a deliverance ministry, have powerful and faithful, Godly servants of God to pray over you. Pray for the holy spirit into your heart, Jesus is a healer of broken hearts. He is a miracle worker, light in the darkest. The question is not 'How long..?Why me...?I am not...'I can't..., I dont...' Change the pray to a commanding praise and worship of father God, Jesus, the son of God, and the holy spirit' Focus on God and his glory, move from your pit of hell into the darkness, submit to the light and receive the living water so you no longer dry and thirsty, be like the woman at the well; be like the woman with the blood issue; be like the centenarian; have a faithful heart and focus on Jesus. Go to the cross, bend your knees and start the battle in spirit and in truth. Not in the fresh, for our fresh is weak, our sins are many, our minds are trapped. The cross is where you find freedom, the green grass and still water is where the Lord will place you for peace and rest. In Jesus name.