Is it okay to be mad at God?

The short answer is “Yes.” God can handle it.

The longer answer is still “Yes” but involves some deeper understanding of God’s heart for intimacy with his children.

We also have to understand that there are things that he sees that we just don’t see (sovereignty conversation). Our challenge—if we’re honest—is really that we begin to lose confidence in God’s ability to control circumstances, other people, and the way they, or life, affect us. We start to question why God would allow a good person to experience sickness and pain when we know that pain, sickness, and brokenness are the result of a fallen world, not because God has too much on His plate or is dropping the ball.

There is much to be said about sickness, pain, and brokenness but the end game is always going to be the same—God at work in us and through us. God’s heart is intimacy with you and me. That was his heart back in Genesis. That is his heart through Scripture. That is his heart for you and me even as you read this. As hard as it may be to hear or soak in, God will cause and/or allow anything to happen to us as a means to nudge us into his loving arms.

Did I just say “cause?” I did. Please don’t hear what I am not saying. I’m not saying God causes cancer (life reference - some of you know that I wrestled with cancer a while back). I don’t believe he does. Cancer (as an example among many examples) is yet another byproduct of a fallen and broken world that needs healing. Cancer sucks. I’m just saying that we have evidence in the Scriptures that God has caused and has allowed challenge in the lives of his people with a specific purpose: relational intimacy with his kids. That is all He wants—a deeply planted, uninterrupted, intimate, and loving relationship with you and me.

So yes, it’s okay to be mad at God if you feel you need to be mad. He can handle it. We have a model for it in Scripture. Nearly a third of the Psalms are laments to God, deep expressions of anguish and grief. Writers who were frustrated, confused, perplexed, and disappointed at God all “said so” to God. I certainly have gone there even in these past couple of days. God’s shoulders are broad and strong. He’s not surprised, frustrated, or thrown off by your anger and frustration.

The challenge is this: If you are mad at God, make sure you to talk to him rather than complaining about him. Take a cue from the Psalms. Work your complaint through with God and give him a chance to show up and show off in your life.

I’ll say it again, God is more interested in a relationship with you, even if it’s a bit rocky from your perspective. C.S. Lewis writes that the reward of prayer (complaining to God is still prayer) is the presence of God. That is God’s goal with you in the first place—his presence and ultimately his provision and power in and through your life. If things get ugly or challenging along the way, He’s willing to go there with you, knowing the better and best version of you is on the other side of that tension.

Again, he can handle it. He can handle you. He loves you.