At times I have been angry at God. I have often heard that you shouldn’t be angry at God. I see it as a lament. Expressing my anger at God is a crying in grief, frustration and pain. As a survivor of molestation and rape, anger at God for allowing it to happen seems natural.

In scripture, David was angry at God for striking Uzzah dead. Jonah was so angry at God that he asked God to kill him. Anger is created by God. God knows where the pain is coming from. When we cry out to God, God answers.

I give you all the credit, God— you got me out of that mess, you didn’t let my foes gloat. ^2-3 God, my God, I yelled for help and you put me together. God, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out. (Psalm 30:1-3 MSG).

The truth is God was with me in the midst of horrific experiences. I wasn’t alone or abandoned. I was given strength. We aren’t promised a life without suffering. In fact, we all suffer at various times. We are promised to be pulled out of the grave.

As part of my healing, expressing my anger at God has allowed me to see where God was in those painful times. It has allowed me to see that He was right there pulling me through and giving me strength. Expressing the anger brought me to a place of gratitude, not for what happened, for God’s faithfulness and commitment to bringing me to a place of healing. God is not an indifferent bystander. He is actively bringing us through life’s sufferings to a place of wholeness to a thorough housecleaning.

Have you been angry at God? Have you felt free to express it? Share your story here to breathe life and bring hope to others.