What to do When You’re Angry With God

I’m going to let you in on a little secret, I’m kind of angry with God right now.  We’ve been dealing with some difficult issues, and I just can’t help feeling resentful at how unfair it is!  

Have you ever felt like that before? When your prayers aren’t answered the way you wanted. Or when bad things happen to someone you care about. It can be hard to NOT be mad at God during these times.

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I didn’t realize at first what was going on, but first I noticed my mood dropping into the gutter.  I was snippy and emotional. Plus I was ugly to everyone around me.

I also noticed when reading my Bible each day, I just wasn’t as focused as usual.  And when I was praying, it kind of felt forced. Just like when I am mad at someone close to me, but I have to talk to them anyway.

You Can’t Be Mad at God!

I know, I know…  Some of you are thinking, “You can’t me mad at God!  He’s God!”

I am fully aware of who God is, His almighty power, and His overwhelming goodness.  I know that His plans and ways are greater than anything I could ever imagine, and He sees and knows things we can’t even fathom, but I’m still not happy right now.  

Was Anyone in the Bible Ever Mad at God?

So, after I realized that I was mad, and that I was mad at God in particular, I began thinking:  what should a person do if they are a Christian but are angry with God? I mean, I know I can’t be the first person to be Angry with God.  I began by looking in the Bible for people who were at one time mad or disappointed in the way things turned out in their lives.

King David Was Angry With God

King David was often angry with God.  He cried out to Him, asking where He went, and why He didn’t deliver David from his enemies when he prayed and asked continually for help.  

You’ll notice with these verses in Psalms, David begins by being angry with God.  He’s very candid with his emotions, talking to God as if talking to his best friend.  However, as his prayers continue, he ends with praise and thanksgiving.

Job Was Angry Too

Another person who was angry with God was Job.  Job lost everything, through no fault of his own.  He was a righteous man, and even then, he suffered unthinkable loss.  

You’ll notice that Job, like David, began with anger.  You can clearly feel the anguish and loss in his writing.  However, he too, at the end, vows to do nothing wrong. Even though he is angry with God, he refuses to sin because of it.  He cries out to God throughout most of the book, God hears him, and He finally speaks to Job. Overcome with remorse, Job quickly repents.

After reading about both Job and David, the sincere emotions that they shared with God, and their ultimate praise and repentance, I can use their examples to work through my anger toward God in the best way possible.  Here’s the list I came up with:

6 Things You MUST Do if You’re Mad at God

Tell Him 

God is your Heavenly Father.  He knows you better than anyone else knows you. He already knows that you’re mad at Him and he also knows why. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all you worries and cares to God, for he cares about you,” so you need to tell Him what’s on your heart.  Even if it’s anger, He still wants you to confide in Him.

Read Your Bible

 I’ve noticed that even on a regular day (aka when I’m not mad), my attitude is much more positive if I start my day with reading the Bible.  Driving to work, if I forgot to read it before leaving the house, I can tell.

Not everyone is a morning Bible reader, and that’s fine. I used to read mine at night, but I noticed I was too tired to focus on what I was reading.  So, I switched to a morning devotion time, and it has made a huge difference!

End Your Prayers with Praise

Even when you’re angry with God, He is still worthy of your praise.

This one was hard for me at first.  I knew that even though I was mad at God, I should still be praising and thanking Him for all he has done, but it took me a little while to remember that part.  Once I began adding praises back into my prayers, even before I felt “ready”, my mood was instantly brighter.

Fellowship with Christian Friends

This one is crucial people!  God has given us the church as our family.  This is a family we can go to for understanding, support, and help with our everyday struggles.  You need to be connected with other believers on a regular basis. For me, when I miss church, my outlook is much more negative than it would be normally.  These people are my inspiration, and meeting with them often helps me to be a better Christian.

Listen to Uplifting Music 

I’m an emotional person and sappy music makes me cry.  So, when I’m sad, I can’t listen to slow, emotional songs. I know some people find comfort in this type of music, but it makes me depressed! 

So, I tend to choose more upbeat songs to lift my mood. Hawk Nelson is one of my go-to bands. Their songs speak words of love, life, and affirmation.  They even have a channel on Amazon Music! Bonus!!!

Repent

 When you’re angry with God, even if you feel justified, you are still in the wrong.  Job was angry with God, and he was probably more justified than most of us will ever be.  However, when God came to him, Job’s desire for justification vanished. He quickly repented of his anger, realizing the majesty of God!

What Works for You?

There you have it, the 6 things I do when I’m angry with God.  So, what works for you? How do you handle feeling angry or resentful towards God? Do you have a favorite verse or story that gives your comfort during the difficult times? Shoot me an email or comment below. I’d love to hear what works for you!

Thanks for reading,