Daily Prayers for Grieving Hearts: A 21-Day Plan for Comfort on the Road to RecoverySample

WHAT, ANGRY WITH GOD?

Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. GENESIS 32:24 NKJV

There comes a point in the grieving process when anger sets in and grows. Anger at our situation, anger at the finality loss brings, anger at not being able to go back and change things, and even anger at God. But the good news about being angry with God is that, first, in order to be angry with Him, you have to believe in Him—we normally don’t direct anger at nothingness. And believing in God, believing He exists, is the first step toward true healing. The second reason is that He understands. Jacob wrestled all night with God, and God remained engaged. He got into the ring with Jacob until he was worn down—then God blessed him. It’s magnificent to know we can be real about our feelings and emotions with the One who made them. And it’s beautiful that He allows us the time and space to direct it all toward Him—no matter how unpleasant it is. As a result, He gathers our messes and turns them into blessings we wouldn’t have received otherwise, all in His time.

Lord, I confess I’m angry that You allowed tragedy to occur in my life. I’m angry that this is what I get after all the years I’ve served You. I’m angry that my dreams have been shattered, my plans have come to a stop, my service to You seems for nothing, and my love for You doesn’t feel returned. And yet I know that You do love me. I just don’t understand why and how You could cause or allow such difficulty. Please, God, help me get back to loving and trusting You as I know I should. Please take my anger and replace it with Your comfort and Your rest.

I ASK THIS IN JESUS’ NAME. AMEN.