It is common for people of faith to question God in a time of loss, especially a loss due to a death.  Does it seem strange that it would be people of faith that question God?  Is it not our faith that conquers questions?  Or can one be a person of faith and have questions about that faith?  It seems to me that a growing and emerging faith includes asking questions, even hard questions.

Some grievers avoid asking the hard questions because they don’t get any encouragement to ask God the hard questions.  They are told things like: “Someday (maybe in heaven) God will make it clear”  “Move on with your life.”  “Get over it!”  These and many other statements make grievers feel guilty for doubting God.

You may be wondering if it is a sin to be angry with God.  I would suggest that it may be a sin to pretend that you are not angry with God.  Someone once said that God has had people angry at him for thousands of years and he can handle it.  If you ever wonder if it is okay to question God, read the Psalms.  King David, who wrote most of the Psalms, asked God some really tough questions and not once did God chastise him for asking questions, doubting and expressing his anger.

Every griever has asked the question “why”.  The deeper the grief the more intensely the question is asked.  Some shout “why” at God a thousand times.  What does God think about that?  When God’s son Jesus was dying on the cross, he asked “why”.  Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Have you ever felt like God has left you?  Jesus must have and he asked God why.  When you feel that way, you may want to turn your question to a prayer.  Why not ask God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Know that God receives those questions, and your anger with acceptance and grace.  I believe God is more gracious and loving than we can imagine.

When we stuff our questions or perhaps think it is a sin to be angry with God, we do ourselves emotional harm.  Anger not directed to God may be directed at those around us.

Grievers would just like to be able to finish a sentence and to be heard, really listened to, would be wonderful.  Unfortunately, finding someone to listen is hard.  The longer the grief goes on, the less patience people have for listening.  That attitude not only stifles asking questions of each other, but of God.  God has been listening intently to humans for centuries and he still speaks to us today.  Give him a chance by being brutally honest with him and then be open to listen to him.