Have you struggled with this?

[StaySalty]

I absolutely know this is wrong, but I am still struggling with it and desire some help. Anger/frustration with God makes no sense, gains nothing good, and is in direct violation to the first commandment. However, it is something that I am struggling with and I ask your prayers about.

I think it stems from unmet expectations, and seemingly unfair prosperity/"blessings" of people who find God laughable and reject Him willingly and unrepentantly. Yes, I know their end (and I pray that they change), but why are they always rejoicing down here? Why do the proud get more so they can become more proud?

And why does God seem slow or distant in answering our prayers? Again, I am not saying that my feelings are right, so please don't condemn me. But, if you have felt this way, AND you came out of it, please post with any helpful advice. Thanks alot

 

[brotherjim]

Hi, Salty.

I seem to recall from some other thread in the past, that you're unable to receive my words as Truth (not sure though, so kindly forgive me if I'm mistaken), so I will be very brief and will not return to debate the point or even read here further (you can pm me if needed).

Most everything that happens with God's children the way you have expressed (too slow, etc.), can all be boiled down to the too greatly underestimated, basic Kingdon principle, summed up in the following:

". . . so that no flesh should glory in His Presence."

". . . so that no one can boast."

". . . Jesus did not commit Himself to them . . . for He knew what [evil still] was in man."

God most often does not move until He is certain we will properly handle what He bestows, us not afterward self-validating our entire walk (since many areas are nearly always still deficient), us not afterward attempting to partake of its glory (which God is extremely jealous to keep ti Himself, Him knowing that man cannot handle it, for it too greatly puffs us up), etc., etc.

The reason the church is so impotent today, is that most when they reach the conclusions you have, Salty, in their frustration will merely turn to whatever so-called "well-meaning" good works of sinful, actually self-righteous flesh they can invent, grit their teeth, dig in their heels, tell themselves no one else is doing it any better than they are, and then they humanistically proceed to get by the best they can.

Granted, the above are harsh words--as most of my words are, but nevertheless, I sincerely hope and pray they will somehow, someday if not now (perhaps copy and save it somewhere?), bring you such blessings from the Heavenly Father as you cannot even imagine for to ask--in Jesus' Name.

[Allegedly] in His Grace of Love for you, StillSalty, brotherjim

 

[brotherjim]

Well, I tried to be brief.

 

[MrJim]

I have walked the steps brotherjim outlined in #2 and he is absolutely right.

 

[nhzname]

I absolutely know this is wrong, but I am still struggling with it and desire some help. Anger/frustration with God makes no sense, gains nothing good, and is in direct violation to the first commandment. However, it is something that I am struggling with and I ask your prayers about.

I think it stems from unmet expectations, and seemingly unfair prosperity/"blessings" of people who find God laughable and reject Him willingly and unrepentantly. Yes, I know their end (and I pray that they change), but why are they always rejoicing down here? Why do the proud get more so they can become more proud?

And why does God seem slow or distant in answering our prayers? Again, I am not saying that my feelings are right, so please don't condemn me. But, if you have felt this way, AND you came out of it, please post with any helpful advice. Thanks alot

Salty, I know what you mean to feel this righteous indignation toward those who do not know and honor the Lord, and also to feel anger when the Lord does not seem to be working within your timetable.

I spoke with my mentor about this years ago, and she recommended that I spend time reading Psalm 37 each day for a few months. I found it not only helped me deal with other's actions, but also reflect upon my own. More importantly, it built my faith in the Lord as I learned to trust more and more in the God of scripture, realizing that He wants me to freely express myself to Him just as David does in this and other Psalms.

~ Psalm 37 ~​

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

​

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish-vanish like smoke.

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.

They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

 

[StaySalty]

Salty, I know what you mean to feel this righteous indignation toward those who do not know and honor the Lord, and also to feel anger when the Lord does not seem to be working within your timetable.

I spoke with my mentor about this years ago, and she recommended that I spend time reading Psalm 37 each day for a few months. I found it not only helped me deal with other's actions, but also reflect upon my own. More importantly, it built my faith in the Lord as I learned to trust more and more in the God of scripture, realizing that He wants me to freely express myself to Him just as David does in this and other Psalms.

~ Psalm 37 ~​

​

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS!!! This is an amazing Psalm! How silly we are to get frustrated


nhzname, thanks again, this advice was timely and well needed. ​

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Every person on the planet has struggled with frustration and disillusionment. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or selling something. Job, Jeremiah, David, Elijah...everyone has because we're human and can't see the whole picture. In fact, Asaph wrote a psalm about it. It may comfort you.

 

[LegomasterJC]

Sounds like a good time to read Job... Or any of those Whitehorse suggested too.