A first healthy step in coming to peace with God’s behavior toward us is to be honest about our feelings.  If we were crying out as victims of a crime and a policeman walked by without stopping to help, we would surely feel abandoned, but we would also boil with anger.  If we had a business and a customer refused to pay us for our services, we might pursue them in a court of law, but we would certainly be angry.

It is true, anger against God is a dangerous proposition.  Whether it is always a sin is one of those theological questions people have debated for centuries.  Ephesians 4:26 tells us anger is an opportunity for sin, but is it possible to be angry with God under any circumstances without sinning?  Personally, I have not resolved this issue, yet, I am confident of two things: anger against God is not the unpardonable sin, and it is easier to deal with our disappointments with God when we tell Him what He already knows.

If we are angry with God, for whatever reason, we should admit it.  If He hasn’t already struck us dead for thinking something, He probably won’t do so for speaking our mind.

Please don’t misunderstand.  I am not suggesting it is wise to curse God, or forget we are in the presence of the Almighty.  Of Him, Moses once wrote, “Who knows the power of your anger?  For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.” (Psalm  90:11 NIV)  Should one be led to think there is cathartic power in unleashing a barrage of disrespectful cries in God’s direction, he might want to reconsider.  God has His own form of catharsis against which no one can stand.

On the other hand, it is possible to be paralyzed by our indignation because we don’t know where to unload it without condemnation.  In my experience, it often takes people who are hurting a while before they have the courage or the will to face God with their feelings.  Personally, I believe He understands this process, and grieves with them as they struggle through the darkest of nights.  After all, the Father is patient and loving as well as wrathful, and he knows the true intentions of our hearts, even if our demeanor toward Him is temporarily cold and distant.

For all of these reasons, we should pour our hearts out before the One who loves us in spite of ourselves.  If we have sinned in our anger, then confession will release the waters from the dam that has held back our longing to rush into the arms of our gracious God.

How would you define your feelings toward God?  Have you been honest with Him about the things He already knows?

Dear God, please be patient with me.  It’s so very hard.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.