The rapper Dax swears the F@#$! and D@#& words a lot in his heavy-hitting song called "Dear God." Some Christians think his depiction of the cross is sacrilegious. Frankly, I LOVE his lyrics! Why?? Because he has the audacity to be honest and authentic with God. I could quote the entire song, but here are my favorite verses:
"Dear God, there's a lot of questions that I have about the past
And I don't want hear it from a human you made
So, you're the last Person that I'm ever gonna ask
...
Dear God, where were you when I needed it
When I f--- up and repeated it?
When they set the bar and I exceeded it? (Where were you?)
...I remember telling you my goals and my dreams, but you didn't even answer, so, I guess you didn't believe in it
I remember sitting with a gun to my head trying to ask you for some help, but I guess you didn't believe in it
I don't want religion, I need that spirituality
I don't want a church, I need people to call a family
I don't wanna tell my sins to another sinner just because he's got a robe and he went to some academy
I don't wanna read it in a book, I wanna hear it from you
Don't wanna learn it in my school because they're hiding the truth
Don't wanna talk about it to another f--- human being, and that's only reason that I even stepped in this booth"
Too many Christians are scared to ask God their honest questions.
I've been there too. When I lost my stepfather and my father back-to-back about a year apart while I was studying to be a pastor, I didn't know if I could go on and preach about God. (Not to mention struggling to follow the path that I thought He had called me into!) I started to resent God, but I tried to suppress it because I wasn't "supposed" to feel that way.
You've lost a loved one, but you can't express your hurt and disappointment because you're afraid that God will keep you out of heaven for it. That sounds like you're dealing with a terrorist rather than someone who wants to hear your authentic and raw feelings. Someone asked me, "What do you do when the person you're angry with is God Himself?" I responded, "Ask Job."
When I was resenting God, I decided to meditate on the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job, and that's what I suggested to the person who asked. The book is so old, we don't know much about Job except that he was a good man who was wealthy and blessed. Yet, despite how good he was, he lost all of his children. Job petitioned and argued against God, and his friends tried to discourage him. But guess who God chose to reveal Himself to? Not his friends! God didn't even give Job a straight answer, but somehow Job knew. Job confessed:
"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)
How does expressing anger with God help us in our spiritual journey? Because you stop being fake! Honesty is the foundation of any meaningful relationship, including one with a divine being. By being honest with God, you establish a genuine and authentic connection. Just as in human relationships, openness and honesty help foster trust and understanding.
When you're honest with God, you're also being honest with yourself. Expressing your true thoughts, feelings, and struggles in your prayers or conversations with God can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth. Acknowledging your weaknesses and seeking guidance can help you overcome challenges and become a better person.
God is big enough to handle your doubts and concerns. Sharing your worries, fears, and burdens with God can provide a sense of relief. It's like unburdening yourself by confiding in a trusted friend. This can lead to emotional and mental well-being, as you're not bottling up your emotions.
When you're honest with God, you clarify your intentions and desires. This helps you align your goals with your beliefs and values, leading to a more purposeful and focused life. Honesty with God involves acknowledging your limitations and surrendering control. This act of humility can lead to a deeper sense of spiritual connection and reliance on a higher power.
Honest communication with God enables you to seek guidance, wisdom, and direction. By admitting your lack of understanding or confusion, you open yourself up to receiving divine insights or solutions to your problems. Sharing your doubts and struggles with God can also help you build resilience and develop a stronger faith. Working through challenges with God's support can lead to a sense of empowerment and an increased ability to cope with difficulties.
Being honest with God allows you to integrate your faith into all aspects of your life. It prevents compartmentalization and encourages you to live consistently and authentically with your beliefs. Your honesty with God can serve as an example to others. When people see you being open and vulnerable in your faith, it might encourage them to do the same, fostering a culture of authenticity and openness within your religious community.
Perhaps most importantly, honesty with God can lead to healing. By acknowledging mistakes or sins or struggles, you open the door to seeking forgiveness and experiencing a sense of spiritual cleansing and renewal.