A new Beliefnet.com gallery asks whether it’s “blasphemous” to be angry at God. Three rabbis respond in very different ways, but they all agree that anger at God is acceptable. They also address the issue as if it’s actually a potential problem, which strikes me both as funny, and somehow missing the most important issue.
One rabbi tells us that “God can handle our anger”, and another suggests” it’s okay to be angry but that really it’s all for the best”, and the third teaches that the bad stuff is not always for the best, but it might not be from God anyway. I see wisdom in all of these approaches, but not a response to the power and meaning of our anger at God.
If all things are from God, then so is our anger. If that is the case, then our anger at God is as sacred as whatever more seemingly pious responses need no defense. The only issue is whether or not our anger helps us and those around us to deal constructively with the situation. If it does then it is the perfect response. If it does not, then let it go.
The issue is not God, it’s us. When our responses to life’s hardships work to heal us and empower us to help others, then the God I believe in is just fine with whatever those responses may be.