Are you angry at God? Is that okay?


Most people who go through horrific experiences wonder what God is up to, if he really cares, and why he didn’t protect them from the pain they endured. Many also find themselves blaming God, refusing to believe in God, angry at God for the situation they find themselves in. Evangelical authors have responded to these questions and feelings in two general ways. (1) Anger at God is misplaced at best, sinful at worst, or (2) Expressing anger at God is good, honest, and part of the healing process. “He can take it, He’s God.” Let’s look at each view for a moment.

1. Anger at God is wrong. What does God say to Job after he’s railed against him for many chapters? He puts Job in his place and tells him he’s the creator. Job repents. There is no Scripture that supports shaking one’s fist at God. Can the pot tell the potter how to make the pot? Think of all the passages that tell you to put off anger and rage. There is no place to think that anger at God is good.

2. Anger at God is good, honest and leads to healing. Denial and repression lead to pretending to be at peace when in fact a war rages. The first step is admitting you are angry. God already know this so why try to hide it? Read the Psalms. David is obviously angry at God at times.

I’d like to argue that anger at God is (a) foolish, and (b) common and so needs our attention. If we had proper perspective, we’d respond like everyone who comes face to face with God. We’d grovel. Sinfulness cannot stand in front of holiness without bending the knee. Still, it is common and within anger at God there are threads of faithful questions. “I know your character and this doesn’t make sense to me why you are allowing this to continue!” When we express anger and rage to God we go beyond faithful questions to demand answers and correction. It is important to admit what we think. Repression will not help. However, admitting sinful thoughts requires repentance…

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Here’s a link to a detailed article written from a Catholic perspective. It contains numerous points while trying to ride the thin line between the 2 opposing perspectives.  

5 Comments

Filed under anger, Uncategorized

5 responses to “Are you angry at God? Is that okay?

  1. PJ's avatar PJ

    Interesting thoughts. I have been the one for years who was very angry at God and would not admit it because it is wrong. I think what you say here is a good point you have to admit, but then repentance is required.

  2. Dr. K's avatar Dr. K

    Anger at God IS common. I have experienced it in my own life, and with those I have counseled. But anger at God reveals our deeper feelings of helplessness. We expect God to protect us and “make a way” for us. When He allows us to go through the fire, we feel its blistering heat and it triggers the deeper pain of rejection, abandonment, despair, loneliness, worthlessness, etc. At face value, it proves to us that not even God cares. Yes, I believe the emotion to be genuine, but most likely displaced.

  3. Pingback: Blinded by Anger « Calling for Christ

  4. Craig's avatar Craig

    If God gave us free will and the ability to speak our minds, how can expressing our anger be wrong, even if it is directed at him. Terrible things happen in this world every second of every day and we stand by and watch helplessly wondering where he is. Isn’t it that helplessness and frustration that utimately gives some of us the strength needed to go beyond simply whining about it? I wonder sometimes if all of God’s miracles are simply the result of one of us hearing his voice and finding the faith and courage to act on his behalf.

  5. Haydn Murray's avatar Haydn Murray

    it is good therapy to be angry with God because we are sure we will not be interrupted when we are speaking harshly to him and we are certain he would not answer us back although he knows fully what is going on.

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