angry with god

In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold…Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger. ~ Ephesians 4:26…31

Anger is defined as a feeling of great displeasure or hostility toward someone or something, caused by a sense of injury or wrong. Sometimes anger is hidden and lies smoldering. It is implosive. Other times it is explosive. Neither the implosive nor explosive kind of anger is healthy. People, even Christians, become angry. Read the Old Testament to see how angry God can be. Is anger a sin? The Bible in Ephesians 4 implies that anger is an acceptable emotion, but it must not lead to sin. Sin impedes communication with God.

Prior to coming to Guam, I found that I had a difficult time praying. Oh, I said the rote prayers I had learned as a child. I went to church on Sunday, but sitting at my table before breakfast, reading the Bible, and talking with God became a struggle. My anger with family situations and health issues ate up most of my free time. I stewed. I boiled. I gave the devil a foothold, without knowing at whom or what I was mad. So, I decided to become angry at me.

Then a friend invited me to a Via De Cristo weekend in Miami. I went expecting nothing, and found everything. I listened to the lectures, participated in discussion, sang praises, and enjoyed my fellow participants, but a dark cloud of unhappiness weighed upon me.

"What is wrong with me that I can't feel excited and happy?" I ranted aloud during prayer time, "Why have YOU allowed these family problems and health issues? How dare YOU permit this suffering?" I was mad at God! Is it a sin to be angry with God? He loves me. Jesus died and rose for me. I prayed, "Lord, take my bitterness, rage and anger. Let me be free."

And He did.