Have you found yourself mad at God recently?
Come on, don’t be too holy to admit that there have been times when you’re angry with God because it seems like he has stood silently by as everything that could go wrong in your life has gone wrong.
You find yourself saying the same thing Jesus said to God in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before he went to the cross: “Why have you forsaken me?”
In other words, “Why are you allowing the devil to kick my behind and pimp slap me?”
Despite your best efforts you have faced unfair and unbelievable circumstances.
Someone who casually sleeps around with other people’s spouses has recently found a life partner of their own. On the other hand, you treat people with respect and try to date according to God’s rules, but you’re still going to bed alone with television and a pail of ice cream.
A promotion goes to a co-worker, despite the fact that you actually work harder and have been at the company longer than that person has.
Six drivers in front of you go over a pothole with ease, but when your car goes over it one tire loses a hubcap, the second tire goes flat, the third tire gets a nail in it and the fourth tire falls off! Does that sound like the kind of luck you’re having lately?
Someone who is selfish and stingy has so much money they can’t figure out what to do with it. On the other hand, you always look out for others, yet you’re working three jobs just to pay rent and keep food on the table.
A relative or friend who is kind to other people ends up dying a slow and painful death from some kind of illness.
All of these things seem to happen despite the fact that you’re praying daily, fasting, reading God’s word and following the sermons of your pastor to the letter.
Actually, there’s nothing wrong with being frustrated with God or questioning him. Wise individuals in the Bible, from Abraham and Moses to Jesus and Peter, have questioned God when he gave them directions during tough times.
We’re not out of order unless we develop a rebellious or hostile attitude toward God and begin to reject him, which violates the first commandment.
Being frustrated with our circumstances and questioning God is natural, and like a loving father he will offer us an answer when we don’t understand what he’s up to. Often that answer can be found in his written word, the words and confirmation of other people or that “quiet voice” in your spirit that guides your intuition.
We have to remember that faith is not a noun, but a verb — an action word. We should exercise faith and trust in God even when we don’t understand our circumstances. We have limited vision and can see only what is in front of us at the moment. God, on the other hand, can see everything that has an impact on our lives and future, even things we haven’t noticed.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Second, it’s also important to remember that Satan doesn’t have free reign over humanity nor can he terrorize us whenever he chooses. The book of Job proves that the devil and his legion have to get permission from God before they attack us.
So, why does God occasionally allow us to endure a spiritual attack?
Some pastors might say he is trying to test our faith and develop our character. But God also has other reasons for allowing us to go through certain challenges.
Perhaps he allowed that loved one to die because he knew they were suffering (physically and mentally), were simply tired of life in general and ready to finally enter eternal peace. Maybe he allowed you to lose a job you liked so that he could get you ready for a fulfilling job that you’ll love.
Perhaps he allowed that bitter break up with a boyfriend/girlfriend to get you ready for the person you will spend the rest of your life with. Maybe he allowed those shootings to take place in your neighborhood so that you and other citizens would stop being so apathetic about this community.
Finally, before we get frustrated with God we must remember that sometimes we bring difficult situations on ourselves.
Do you have a combative personality and hateful disposition at work? Maybe that’s why the other person got the promotion.
Does the fact that you’re lonely for companionship have more to do with God being “mean,” or is it due to the fact that you keep looking for a husband/wife at clubs, bars and chat lines instead of your church, community activities or through trusted friends/relatives who know what kind of mate you need?
Are you the kind of person who drives too fast and cuts people off in traffic? Then hitting that pothole was a lesson in driving more carefully and with consideration.
Before you get mad at God because your house is being foreclosed and your wages are being garnished, take a look at how you’re managing your money. If the total cost of your car and clothes is more than your home then something’s wrong.
God never promised that life would always be fair; that’s why it’s not heaven. However, regardless of what causes our problems God promises to never leave us. One of the reasons why he sent his son to hang out with humanity is so that he could understand suffering and why we sometimes feel like jumping off buildings and slicing our wrists.
Let us take comfort in Hebrews 13:5-6: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’”
Remember that the next time you’re trying to figure out how to pay your bills and you suddenly find an unexpected check in the mail.
