Shaking Our Fist At God
Angry With God
Sometimes, we shake our fists up at the heavens and blame God for the bad things happening in our lives. We blame Him for not caring or taking care of us or maybe giving us more than we think we can handle.
We accuse Him of not protecting us and allowing, if not causing, bad things to continue on in our lives.
The world can be a dark, cruel place.
The Bible tells us the enemy prowls the surface of the earth looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
The battle is real. We are warned to be alert and diligent in our relationship with God.
Is it God that tempts us? No! James 1:13
It’s the enemy and it’s our own selves, our flesh.
Our own bad decisions.
That’s what I want to touch on right now. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, the reason we are in a bad spot in life is because of our own bad decisions.
Yes, it’s true. We trip our own selves up sometimes.
For example:
Relationships with the wrong kind of people
Sex before marriage or outside of marriage
Not being a good steward of our finances
Lying and not controlling our tongue
Stealing
Not putting up boundaries and guarding ourselves from sin
Allowing our minds to run wild with negative thoughts
The list can go on and on.
I want to remind you – and myself – of a few facts.
Angry with God
#1. God does not tempt us or cause us to fall. That is the enemy and our own sin.
James 1:13-15
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death…”
#2. We have the ability to make our own lives a hot mess. Lust, greed, and selfishness are an icky part of us that we must consistently lay at Jesus’ feet. When we diligently spend time at the feet of our Savior, then we can pick up the Fruits of the Spirit. It’s a great exchange!
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
#3 God is never absent. Whatever the means of how we arrived in this painfully, deliberating spot in life, never allow your thoughts to settle on “God is absent”. God is not absent. He promises to never leave us. When we cry out for answers; He gives us His Bible. Pray, spend time with God and read the Bible. God is not absent. He never leaves us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Let’s remember these valid points and Bible verses next time we are shaking our fist at God. Let’s ask ourselves where this attack is coming from and did my poor decisions bring me here.
If we need to seek forgiveness and reconcile our lives back to God; than let’s do so quickly, but let us never blame God for our hot mess of a life.
God is for you! Remind yourself of God’s promises and what He has done for you in the past. Trials can make us stronger and wiser if we allow them.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t hard. It can be very hard. Have yourself a good cry at the feet of Jesus. He intercedes for you! Romans 8:34
When bad times come it can be confusing and sometimes we are unable to comprehend what and why this is going on. The enemy is quick to throw thoughts of doubt our way.
God wants us to trust Him and to grow in Him through the ups and downs of life.
Let us persevere!
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
I hope this encouraged you to persevere and cling tight to Jesus.
Blessings,
Starla