God Meets Us in Anger

by Charleen Burghardt

“God is big enough to handle your anger.”

“God is big enough to handle your anger.”

When I first heard those words during my chaplain training, they made me reconsider my perspective on anger. Can God meet us in anger? Previously, I thought God would be offended if I told him my irritation and exasperation or if I yelled at him with accusations. It seemed disrespectful to rage at God until I found where King David ranted, “How long will you hide your face from me?” 

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1).

“How long will you hide your face from me?”

Shortly after, I visited an angry patient in the hospital. This was a repeated hospitalization for her. Within two months, complications developed, needing more surgery. She expressed her frustration, defeat, anger, and hopeless future. From previous visits, I knew she depended on her faith and prayer.

As hot tears flowed down her cheeks, she explained her poor health. I reassured her that her emotions were understandable and allowed her to express her resentment toward God. She needed validation that it was okay to express those emotions. Together, we identified the losses that resulted in her grief and anger.

Tears streamed down in anger.

I witnessed a sacred moment in that hospital room and a profound change in her demeanor. After expressing anger, she said, “God didn’t do this to me, but he will take it and use it in my life.” God came into that situation, comforting her and giving her a new perspective. God met her in her anger.

A Scared Moment

God came into that situation, comforting her and giving her a new perspective.

This patient’s story taught me how God meets us when we verbalize our raw negative emotions. Our Heavenly Father is not offended by our raging—“It’s unfair!” He can manage our questions and complaints.

It’s unfair!

The Book of Psalms contains songs of praise and psalms of lament, in which the writer pours out bitter feelings with questions of “Why, God?” Each time, words of anger or injustice flow onto the page, soaking the paper. Then, the complaint transitions into a petition for God to help. Finally, the psalm ends with words of hope in the Faithful One.

God meets us in our anger.

As we pour out our complaints, a change occurs. Then, we call out to God for help. Finally, hope comes.

When we experience loss or another tragedy, sometimes our sadness turns into anger. We can follow the pattern in the Psalms of lament, which starts with expressing our deep, pent-up emotions. Let those emotions cascade like a waterfall, and God will draw near.

let our emotions cascade

Usually, our outlook will change over time, and we will realize that God didn’t cause pain, loss, or sickness. We begin to notice God’s goodness in our circumstances, along with a fresh trust. God meets us in our anger. God meets us in our angry place.

The progression: Complaint to Petition then to Hope

God meets us in our angry place.

Thoughts to take home:

Consider writing a letter to God when you need to express your emotions, especially anger. Tell God about the injustices you feel.

Additional Scripture is Psalm 13.

Grace Offers Hope,

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