Angry with God

Angry With God

Do all people who have experienced traumatic events exhibit anger toward God? Becoming angry with God is a spontaneous reaction of Christians and non-Christians alike. The first group trusted in God’s sovereign protection, and the incident of trauma left them with feelings of betrayal and uncertainty, with questions echoing night and day, “Why? Where were you, God?” There is an irony in the possibility that the closer relationship with God before the traumatic event, the stronger the anger with God afterward. The betrayal of a trustworthy friend (God) is harrowing and becomes a trauma of its own. This attitude, however, becomes an impediment to spiritual growth.

For the second group, the lack of God’s involvement only confirms the belief that “If God is good, how could He allow such things to happen? Does He care? Does He even exist?” While, in this situation, the non-believer displays the attitude of a fool (Romans 1:18-23), the believer has no excuse to measure up to the same folly.  And yet, in the Church, we see more often a full display of Cain’s predicament rather than Job’s predicament.    

The Scripture doesn’t specify why God looked favorably at Abel’s offering but not at Cain’s (Genesis 1:1). Some clues bring understanding. The story tells us that,

Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. ”Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? (Genesis 4:5b,6)

The very next comment God made to Cain, “ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” (Genesis 4:6), leads to the understanding that apparently, Cain did not “walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness” (1King (9:4-5) and he did not do what was “right in the eyes of the Lord” (1Kings15:15). God has repeatedly rejected the offerings, the prayers and the fasts of worshipers in whom such conditions of heart and mind were present (Isaiah 1:11-15; Isaiah 58:3-5; Jeremiah 6:20; Amos 5:21–23). Instead, God desires 

Mercy and not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) 

Cain’s anger with God arose out of jealousy. Deep in his heart, the seed of sin sprouted bitterness. Anger and rage followed, quickly escalating into premeditated murder (Genesis 4:8). Because Cain did not do what was right in the sight of God, he became vulnerable to the influence of the evil forces in the spiritual realm. He gave the enemy a “foothold” (Ephesians 4:27-29) to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He became a murderer long before he killed his brother, Abel because the Scripture defines the one who hates his brother as a murderer (1 John 3:15-17; Matthew 5:21-22). Even though the Law of Moses was given to humanity long after the murder of Abel, the spiritual laws that govern God’s creation had contained these precepts since the beginning of time. Cain’s actions were judged against God’s eternal spiritual laws and were found sinful.

Cain failed to master the constant attacks of the powers of darkness that drove him to act out treacherously. The Scripture describes those attacks as sin, crouching at his door and desiring to have him (Genesis 4:7). Cain did not master the sin; he became enslaved by the sin; he became a symbol of sin.

After committing the murder, Cain had no regrets. He did not confess, nor did he repent from his actions. His rebellion brought him a curse (Genesis 4:11). Cain followed in the footsteps of his father, Adam, and his mother, Eve, who failed to acknowledge their wrongdoing, tried to cover their offense, and never regretted their actions (Genesis 3:8-13). In both cases, rebellious attitudes of heart and a bold denial of actions are present, resulting in an identical outcome of being cast out of God’s presence. This is Cain’s predicament. 

Compared to Cain, Job had more “justifiable" reasons to be angry with God. Cain had no adverse events (trauma) in his life, while Job’s trauma was enormous, losing everything dear to him—all of his children, wealth, health, and dignity. And yet, we are seeing two completely different exhibits of anger with God that led to two opposite eternal outcomes. 

Behind the scenes, in Job’s story, we are given insights into how the enemy operates in the spiritual realm, enticing, tormenting, and plotting the ultimate annihilation of the soul.  We also see that even in its ugly rage, the enemy can only do what God allows him to do (Job 1:12; 2:6). The end goal of Satan is to cause Job to curse God to his face (Job 2:5), and thus be destined to hell rather than Eternity with God. Job didn’t sin against God. He endured the days of trouble. 

Job’s story gives the traumatized believer a blueprint for processing and handling anger with God. Anger is an emotion imparted to us since the beginning of time. God exhibits anger, and yet God is holy. Since we are created in His image, we can also be angry and not sin.  Apostle Paul acknowledged this dichotomy, warning us not to sin in our anger (Ephesians 4:26). How do we practically comply with this instruction? 

Question: What fuels my anger? What are the situations, individuals, or things that make me angry?

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Now, compare your response to what fuels God’s anger and discuss how they measure up compared to your triggers. God’s wrath rages at injustice (Proverbs 17:15), dishonesty (Proverbs 11:1), wickedness (Romans 1:18), and disobedience (I Kings 11:9-10). Jesus burst with anger at the moneychangers, driving them out of the temple of God. Yet, He didn't sin.  

‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13b)

Every thought, attitude of heart, and action contrary to God's will on Earth and Heaven (Matthew 6:10) is detestable to Him. His anger is fueled by unjust practices (Amos 5:24), a divine indignation. Just like God, we are instructed to hate what is evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). This understanding produces in us the same divine indignation in which there is no sin. Everything else is from the enemy. 

Many believers whose lives are affected by traumatic events may disassociate with Job’s story, thinking, I am not innocent like Job; I deserve God’s discipline, and I must accept His punishment. Yes, it might be the case in which you, just like Cain, through actions or attitudes of heart, have opened a door, giving a foothold to the enemy to wreak havoc on your life. But this is where Cain’s predicament ends. Your story doesn’t have to end here. If you find yourself in Cain’s position of sinning against God, do not despair; God has given us a way to right the wrong, remove the stains, and be victorious in overcoming the Devil's schemes. It is the ancient way of humbling oneself before the Almighty God, confessing sin, and seeking His forgiveness. 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Job followed the above pattern in dealing with grief and bitterness in response to the traumatic events in his life. This pattern is beneficial for believers affected by traumatic events who harbor anger toward God. 

1. Have an enduring faith in God. In times of calamity, Job held strong onto his faith. He knew God’s just character. He had a close relationship with Him. 

I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27)

Job’s story is like Abraham’s—a story of testing the faith. Tragedies struck Job; Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son. Job could not understand why God would allow such an enormous suffering to fall upon him, but nevertheless, he trusted the Lord. 

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15)

I know I will be vindicated (Job 13:18b)

Likewise, Abraham could not understand why God would demand such a cruel action from him, but he trusted the Lord. 

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:8)

These two men exemplify the strength of faith in times of crisis. They both passed the test, which was credited to them as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Job 42:7b).  

2. Being honest with God. Job continuously defended his innocence. With long orations, his friends tried to convince him otherwise, urging him to acknowledge his sins and accept God’s just punishment. Even his wife said to him, 

Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die! (Job 2:9)

Job couldn’t completely understand why all these evil things were happening to him. In the anguish of his heart, Job cried out to God, asking for an audience with Him to argue his case of innocence.

But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. (Job 13:3)

God listened to Job’s argumentations and vindicated his case. Amid the crisis and despite all the negativism around him, Job remained blameless and upright (Job 2:3). In his dealing with God, Job displayed arrays of emotions, including anger (Job 18:4), and yet, 

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. (Job 1:22) 

Job’s story encourages us to approach God and talk to Him in the anguish of our own suffering. Just like Job, God will speak to us out of the storm (Job 38:1). On this side of Eternity, we might never get satisfactory answers to our questions. But, this is where we display strength and integrity of faith to

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6) 

3. Be humbled before God. God spoke with Job and made him utterly aware of how absolutely awesome He is. Job understood God’s place and his own standing in the divinely created order, and Job grew in appreciation. He recognized the pitiful position he found himself in, acknowledging,

My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:5,6)

Job repented and was restored. This is Job’s predicament. We should all follow suit and make it our predicament. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are also prone to sin against God, especially in the misery of our pain and suffering. It is difficult to make eye contact with someone we deeply judge in our hearts because of the overwhelming presence of animosity, bitterness, and anger. How much more difficult is it when we harbor these toward God? Like Job and the Prophet Isaiah we must also accnolwedge, 

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

Question: Were you able to attend services, pray, or worship the Lord at the time of your traumatic event? Compare your ability to worship God right now.  

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