God continues to teach us things in this crisis as we seek to learn in and through it.
One things we have learned is something all of us know, but which was good for us to experience. God can take our anger. Wendy and I were discussing this and she talked about how it is just like our children. Children often get angry at their parents for not giving them something that they really wanted (like candy before dinner), or taking something away that they had (like a sharp knife). The parents, if they are good parents, do this because the parent sees the bigger picture and knows what is best. While we don’t enjoy having our children upset at us in such situations, we can handle their anger because we know that we did what was best.
Similarly, we are God’s children. As our Father, He sees the big picture and knows what is best for us. We may get angry and upset, and if we do, He can take it because He knows we just don’t understand. I don’t think such anger is sinful or carnal, but just anger from ignorance. I think God would rather have us come to him in anger than run from him in anger. Nor does he want us to be angry, but come to him as if nothing was wrong, becuase that’s not genuine.
Yesterday, one of my daughters was angry at me, and I couldn’t figure out why. As I tried to figure out what had happened, I gently probed her with questions. But rather than answer my questions, she just kept saying “Nothing!” No matter what I asked, that was her answer. I realized that this is how I am acting toward God if I don’t vent my anger to Him, and instead just clam up about what I am feeling.
The Psalmists all understood this, and in the Psalms, we encounter some of the most angry writing in all of Scripture, and much of it is directed at God. The Psalmists had raw emotions and were not afraid to vent at God.
God wants to be with us in our pain and anger, especially if He is the one who caused it. This is because going to Him when we are angry and frustrated at life and at Him is an indication of our love for Him.
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Here, three years later, a comment. When a friend was in a car accident, I felt moved to write her, “It’s OK to be mad at God. It’s normal, it’s human. Tell Him how you feel.” She wrote back that she was surprised, that no one else had given her that sort of advice. I wish I’d known to tell her about the Psalms. You’ve armed me for the future, Jeremy. Thank you. Great analogy: parenting and our own relationship with God. Puts it in perspective especially for those raised with a view of God as the distant Almighty.
I forgot I had even made this post. Thanks for reminding me of it. I’m glad it was helpful, and that you were there for your friend.