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For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:21 ESV

Is it okay to be angry with God?

It is a much-debated topic amongst Christians with no easy answer. Personally, I tend to lean towards one answer, but I can also see the validity in the other response. One thing I do know – staying angry with God can be hazardous to our well-being.

When we stay angry with God, we are in essence saying we don’t like what He did (or didn’t do). We become stuck in believing our way would have been better. Our view of Him has shifted, and we are no longer acknowledging who He really is. We are questioning either His sovereignty or His goodness or His love. We are putting our thoughts, our desires, our understanding above His. Paul warned the church in Romans 1:21 (ESV) that when we fail to worship Him or give thanks, it leads to futile thinking and darkened hearts.

Giving thanks to God can help release our anger.

Giving thanks to God can help us release our anger and help us draw closer to Him. Even science confirms the importance of gratitude. In the last decade there have been numerous studies done in the medical community citing proof that gratitude is good for our physical, emotional, and mental health. (Harvard Health Publications/Harvard Medical Health Letter/In Praise of Gratitude, Nov. 2011)

In the early days of my grief when I was consumed by my loss, I sometimes found it difficult to have a grateful heart. God helped me through that struggle by literally opening a window for my heart to feel gratitude again.

Finding something to be grateful for.

Two weeks after my husband was killed, I returned to work. It was a major effort each day to get out of bed and show up. While I was very fortunate to work at a church at the time, filled with compassionate and loving people, I found it very challenging to see my pain reflected on the faces of hundreds of people every day. Everyone knew what I was going through and there was nowhere for me to hide.

As a coping mechanism, I started rewarding myself for facing another day by going to a local drive thru for a caffeinated beverage. Every morning when the drive thru window opened, I was greeted by a wonderful young woman named Jennifer with the most beautiful smile, full of joy, and thankfully unaware of the pain I was in. Jennifer worked the same schedule I did, Sunday –Thursday. She never missed a day and she never hesitated in giving me a joyful smile. Her smile became a treasured gift given day after day, week after week, for over two years. Her smile reminded my heart of His goodness and His love. It opened my heart back up to acknowledging God and giving thanks for the simple things He provides all along the way, even in the most difficult seasons.

Ask God to help, He will provide.

Scripture reminds us repeatedly to be grateful. Not just because He deserves it, but also because it is what is best for us. Are you trying to find ways to have a more grateful heart? Ask God for help and perhaps a close trusted friend who can help point those things out. You can also join us when our readers share things they are grateful for on “Grateful Fridays.”

Dear Heavenly Father, You are our Sovereign Lord who deserves praise and worship. You are a mighty God who loves us always. Lord, create in us a more grateful heart. Amen.