“I was walking the dog the other day,” Stan commented one morning, “and I saw something in the neighborhood that can have a real impact on people and their relationship with God.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“As I was walking by a vacant lot,” Stan replied, “I saw one of the neighborhood children throwing rocks up in the air. The rocks were coming back down and almost hitting him.”
“What was that all about?” I asked.
“I asked the boy the same thing,” Stan said. “He told me he was mad at God and was throwing rocks at Him.”
“Throwing rocks at God?” I commented. “Doesn’t seem like a very good idea.”
“I told the boy the same thing and asked him why he was mad at God,” Stan replied. “He said he had prayed and prayed, asking God for a new bicycle, but he didn’t get one. And he was mad! Disappointed and mad.”
“That sure seems childish,” I commented.
“Children are supposed to be childish,” Stan said. “But I’ve seen adults do the same thing.”
“Throw rocks at God?”
“Not throwing rocks so much as just being angry with God,” Stan said. “In fact, I had a friend who once got so angry with God that it pretty much destroyed his faith walk.”
“What was that all about?” I asked.
“He was a committed believer who had spent the bulk of his adult life in Christian ministry, but he became ill with a serious disease that really limited what he was able to do physically. He prayed and prayed for God to heal him, but it didn’t happen.”
“Then what?”
“He got really angry at God and he allowed that anger to seriously impact his Christian witness and ministry in ways that pretty much ruined the rest of his life. Not only his life, but the life of his marriage, his family, friends, and most everything. He didn’t finish very well.”
“He’s gone now?” I asked.
“Yes, he passed into eternity a few years ago,” Stan replied.
“Do you think he’s at peace now in God’s eternal presence?” I asked.
“I’ll find out for certain when I get there,” Stan said, “but for now he’s a good bad example of the futility of being angry with God.”
“Kind of like if people throws rocks at God they may come back and hit them.”
“And do some serious damage,” Stan replied rather solemnly.
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Bible verses to consider:
They will say of Me, “Only in the Lord are righteousness and strength,” Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him shall be put to shame. Isaiah 45:24.
Why dost Thou stand afar off, O Lord? Why dost Thou hide Thyself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1.
To keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that out of your love you provide exactly what I need for an ever-deepening personal relationship with you. I confess that too often I think that I know better than you do that which is good for me, and I tend to ignore that you know what is best for me. Please forgive that foolish self-focus and help me in following every step of your lead into knowing that whether or not you give me what I ask for, all you allow in my life is for my good and out of your love. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you ever gotten angry with God? If so, what was that about and what, if anything, did you learn from that experience? Do you agree that “throwing rocks at God” can lead to damaging yourself as well as others? Why or why not? If you know someone who is angry with God, is there a way you can reach out and help that person? What would it look like to help that person?
Waiting for the Train 