The Intersection of Anger and Why
Have you ever prayed for something good, unselfish, even necessary – and instead of an answered prayer things got worse?
Anger is often the natural response, followed by the reasonable question of why? I mean, when things don’t make sense, isn’t it normal to wonder why? If we follow human rationale, we end up confused, disappointed and caught between conflicting feelings at the intersection of Anger and Why.
Many years ago, I was standing at that dismal intersection as I went through a major financial upheaval. I lost just about everything, including my job and health insurance. The day my insurance was cancelled I prayed, asking God to protect me and keep me from all harm and injury. When I got out of bed the following morning I felt discomfort in my left foot, and by lunchtime I was in excruciating pain and incapable of walking.
Unable to do much else but sit, I settled into my favorite spot in the house, the window seat. I held my Bible and pleaded with God, “I don’t understand why you’ve allowed this to happen, you know I can’t afford medical help, please help me.”
God led me to the book of 1 Samuel, and as I read and searched for God’s comfort and help, I realized that one of the story themes was that, through it all – the good times and bad – God remained sovereign. By intervening in David’s life, God maintained ultimate control over Israel’s history. God controlled human events in such a way that those who trusted in him found comfort and the courage to endure.
I found comfort in 1 Samuel, knowing that God was at work in the world, even when I couldn’t see or understand what he was doing. On that fearful morning, as I stared at empty cupboards and my two young daughters, as I worried over having no job or health insurance, and dealt with pain in my body, God reminded me that he is always at work in our lives. He is at work even when we can’t make sense of what he is doing.
We don’t know when, or whether, God is going to answer a particular prayer. And when your prayer doesn’t seem answered and you find yourself at the intersection of Anger and Why, I want to encourage you to seek the road that leads you away from that frustration and confusion. The road is not hidden, but it is an upward journey, and the only requirement for making it is a deliberate act of trust.
Undoubtedly, some of you reading this are suffering in one form or another, or maybe some of you feel like you’re facing pressures and challenges, and you have no idea what to do next. Perhaps you’ve prayed, and it’s felt like God has ignored your prayers. Don’t give up on God. No matter what kind of pressures we face, God is ultimately in control of our situation. The God that designed the universe is the same God you can trust with your life. Like David, seek his direction and take strength from him.
1 Samuel 30:6 | But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
Wanna pray?
God, so much can happen in a short time to destroy plans and test our faith. In those moments, help us to seek your direction and choose to trust you. Please remind us that you are ultimately in control of every situation. Give us the strength and faith we need to face difficult circumstances.