How do you deal with being angry at God?

Question

I have a chronic mental illness. I may get better with time, but it will never go away. I am struggling to come to terms with this.

I know there are still many people out there who do not consider mental illness a medical disease, but I am here to tell you that, yes, it is, so get over it and don't bring those opinions into this, they don't help.

Having said that, I wonder how many people out there with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, and metal ilnesses have worked past being angry and asking "why me?"

I am personally just entering this stage and I don't like it. I don't like feeling angry all the time. My official diagnosis is Major Depression, and I have long ago confronted the idea of having a mental illness. However, I have only just started to face the whole concept of it never going away.

Any advice?

Answer 1

Sweetheart, it is normal -- I repeat normal -- to feel this way. The anger is healthy, however it's the way you deal with it that may not be, so be careful. I assume you are seeing a psychiatrist, but I am wondering if you are also seeing a psychotherapist as well? If not, you should think about that as he/she can help you come to terms with the anger and the 'why me's.'

Though let me say one thing -- there is no answer for why me except heredity, environment and life experience. These are the things that therapy will help you to recognize and work on.

And also remember this: "Your illness is a part of you but it does not define you." You may not always be happy, but who is, really? Plus, it does get better and you do learn coping mechanisms. You can lead a wonderful, productive life despite depression. Trust me -- I've struggled with it all my life and yet I have come so far. I know you can do it, too :)

Peace :)

Answer 2

Well, my understanding is that there are a variety of causes of "mental illness". Most definitely at least some (and perhaps most) is of a "medical" cause; i.e., a "medical disease". Chemical imbalances, etc.

I know about "depression". It can have a medical cause. Also it can be caused by insensitivity of other people, etc. Try to cope with it or overcome it by approach on different fronts.

As for the "why me"; probably it is a "cliche", but seems the answer is "why not"? We are part of a fallen world; we live in a fallen world. God has not said He will heal us in this life; He has said He will be WITH us.

I am sure even God understands when we get "angry " with Him; He understands us. But try reading the book of Job (and all his troubles) or even Naomi (the book of Ruth), her having to move away from famine, her husband dies, her two sons dies childless, etc. She even felt like she was "Mara - bitter" rather than "Naomi - pleasant". But ultimately God brings something great out of those afflictions.

We would like the answers, all the answers, and we want them "NOW". Like someone said, God give me patience and give it to me NOW".

For me, I came through a lot of doubt, but have accepted that He is God, and I am not; some day He will explain what I need to know.

Answer 3

We all have problems to one extent or another. Major Depression is very very treatable. I don't see "hate" as a excuse for this. Your dealt a hand in life. We all are. You play the best with what you have.

What about Christians that were born with no legs? No arms? Polio? MS? I hardly see where "Depression", is a major problem. My wife was treated as Manic Depressive. The trials she and I went through is unbelievable.
You have nothing, that medication can not control. Thank God, It's controlable. If you choose to hate, this is up to you.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Picture a miserable, depressed, emotionally broken person hunched over a chemistry set. His eyes are narrow. His lips are pursed. His fingers are methodically adding just a pinch of this and a dash of that to the acrid green fluid in the test tube before him. His thoughts are a hodgepodge of dated images, his heart a stale mosaic of hatred for a grievance long past. He is thinking of the one who hurt him, and he is concocting a poison for the offender.
It sounds like an excerpt from an old movie serial, doesn’t it? However, here is where the scene changes direction. Envision that same pathetic scientist breathing a sigh of relief as he straightens up, marveling at the liquid vengeance he has created. Now, finally, imagine that poor soul saying, “This will show him,” as he turns the test tube bottoms-up and drinks the poison himself.
That’s a surprising twist — one that we would not expect in a movie. Yet, there is a good chance you have done this very thing at one time or another.
Bitterness is a toxin that we prepare for someone else, but then drink ourselves. It is a concentrated dose of emotional poison, often one that we carefully nurture and grow over the course of years. When we react to someone’s wrongdoing by withdrawing and giving free reign to daydreams of retribution and ill will, we are slowly poisoning our own hearts and minds.

Ask God to reveal any signs of poison in your system. Then, give yourself a dose of the antidote — forgiveness.

.

Answer 4

"I am personally just entering this stage and I don't like it. I don't like feeling angry all the time."

One of the definitions of depression that I've read might be of help to you. And what might that be?

"Depression is the passive form of anger."

Having said that, yes. I also understand that depression can be caused by genetics and a biochemical imbalance in the brain. In this case, the only answer we have is medication. Drugs that help with serotonin uptake, etc. But often the biochemical aspect and the environmental one can play into each other. It becomes a classic Catch 22 where you don't know where one ends and the other begins. So to answer your question...

Go ahead! Get angry with god! Yell and scream at him! EXPRESS your anger instead of internalizing it as depression. And don't be afraid of being specific. "I live with This, THis, and THIS! What are you going to do to help me?! If you don't help me you're just a sh*it-head! A sham! So DO SOMETHING! Do something NOW!"

At the very least, you will take the internal and express it in the physical. It will help you to see it for what it is. From there, you can actively do things to help yourself. And at its best...

Sending that energy "out there" could bring something positive to you. Will it be an act of god? Who knows. But there is a chance that a healthy dose of serendipity will come your way.

Answer 5

Well, if God did that to you, then being angry with Him won't make it any better.

It's unfortunate that religion is so hard on people with mental illness. If only teachers of faith can illustrate an image of God which is more of a friend than a punisher, we'd all be better off.

Use your imagination of who you would like God to be and let Him be that to you. You'll be a lot better off, and much closer to the truth. Why do you think you were given an imagination anyhow?

Answer 6

Hi, good question that you asked. If you look at some of the questions I have recently asked you will see that I am mad at God too. I don't like that feeling because I do believe that there is a creator of life and life in itself is beautiful. I too have recently been given pills for depression. Depression is very hard to beat, I know I have reason to be happy but just cant seem to get there often. Feel free to write me any time, whenever you feel like [e-mail] You'll get a million people on here preaching to you about how God has nothing to do with your suffering and that you just need to have more faith. and maybe thats true, but it doesnt help when all you see around you is suffering and your suffering too.

Answer 7

Its a process that you will have to go through. I know this probably wont help but there is always someone who has it worse. Believe me!!! I have bipolar and ocd and I know how you feel. And its really hard for other people to understand because they cant see the problem. So they think you are just lazy or that you are looking for excuses. But really you are dying inside and nobody can see that. You have to take meds just to stay stable and if you miss a couple of doses or somethings it just gets worse. But the worst thing is the looks you get from other people. The whatever lazy looks. You will get passed this. Trust me it will get better.

Answer 8

That is a very good question. First of all, I am glad you were diagnosed, and that you are getting treatment. My husband suffers from mild depression and will be on meds for the rest of his life.

As to the "why me" - you could turn this into a positive, and see how you could make a positive impact on others. I don't know your situation, but I know that you have something to give, and that would turn it around for you and give you a purpose.

As to the anger with God, maybe try speaking with a clergy person.

You are in my thoughts, and I wish you the bery best of luck!!

Answer 9

Hi, I hear you. I have an auto immune disorder called Fibromyalgia. It is not a visible disease so to look at me I look completely healthy. It includes anxiety, depression, muscular pain, sleep deprivation, arthritis like symptoms all over my body. It is aggrivated by stress, weather, illnesses, pregnancy, menstration. One of the treatments is proper sleep, so I have to be on sleeping pills the rest of my life and perhaps antidepressants. You are going through a greiving period. It is a loss of your old life or a wish to have a certain life. Allow yourself to grieve. And remember God loves you very much. It is ok to be angry with God. He wants to have a relationship with you. He is your father in heaven. Treat Him like a dad you love very much but sometimes pisses you off. I went through all of this and much soul searching when I was diagnosed. I discovered, I could not continue without God's love and that I have a purpose. Maybe it's just to talk to people who are troubled like you, maybe I have a different purpose. Allthough, you may feel like you are pushed to your limit, God will never let anything happen to you that you couldn't handle. You can deal with this. I know you can, God knows you can and you are going to be able to help someone else someday. Jesus said, "Peace be with you, peace I give to you, not as the world gives. Do not be afraid and do not be troubled." John 14:27 God Bless. Please do not hesitate to email if you need a friend to talk to. And do not hesitate to pray, even if it's to tell God you are mad. He desires to know how we feel from our hearts.

Answer 10

How you deal with being angry with God?

Be angry at him! Life can really suck sometimes and it can all feel very unfair. So....

When you need to rage at him, yell and scream, punch a punching bag. Pound on some clay or a punching bag. Whatever you need to do to get it out. God is big enough to take any anger you have. God loves you enough to hold you close after the storm.

Mental illness is a medical condition. The right thing to do is get it treated.

Blessings

Pabs