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God Can Handle How I Really Feel

May 15, 2017 by Blair Lamb Filed Under: Relationships, Soul Food

God Can Handle How I Really Feel | Blairblogs.com

I wrote this post last October but was too fearful to publish it then. I have the courage now. So much of the anguish and anger I describe in this post has lifted in the 7+ months since I wrote these words, but the underlying truth–that God can handle my rawest, realest, most unraveled self–brings me unending comfort and peace.

“Babe?” Riley called as he opened the door to our bedroom. I was already in bed, pajamas on, face washed, teeth brushed, staring at a book with glazed eyes, not retaining anything. “Uh huh?” I responded, closing my book and setting it on the nightstand. I was in a prickly mood, and he knew it, and I knew it. We were both walking on eggshells. “I want to talk to you.”

Begrudgingly, I managed an unconvincing “okay,” making sure to stare at the wall in front of me, not able to meet his gaze. “I was just praying for you,” he started gently, “and I feel like God told me that you’re mad at him.” Whatever pathetic attempt I had been making to avoid emotion was thwarted, and hot, fast tears came. “I’m so angry with him,” I admitted, “so, so angry.”

We sat together for the following two hours with our beating hearts laying flat out on the bed next to us. My tears turned to sobs, and I wept into my husband’s chest. Not knowing where the tissues were, Riley brought me a roll of toilet paper, and I went through the whole thing before the night was over. Admitting how I really felt made me feel physically hurt, but somehow the rawness was life-giving.

The truth was just as I had said–I was deeply angry with God. A year-long compilation of deep disappointments and hard frustrations and heavy sadness had made me weary to trust him. There’s no use rehashing all of these things for you, no use in recounting the dozens of things that brought me to this place. Some things are better left offline. The notable thing was that I was mad, and it was keeping me from the Lord.

No one wants to spend time with someone they’re angry with. So I was going through the motions–church and Bible studies and prayer–but my heart was distant and broken. When I had time set aside for reading the Word and journaling, I’d do just about anything else to avoid it. It felt fake, so I didn’t bother at all. My soul was tired and achy. I avoided confronting my feelings because it’s easier to just stay angry.

But God can handle how I really feel. He’s big enough to deal with every ounce of doubt, anger, distrust, hurt, cynicism, frustration, and disappointment I bring to him. He’s not intimidated by my feelings, and he doesn’t change based on them. The gospel doesn’t break under pressure.

So I laid it out, I said my piece. For my own benefit primarily, and for Riley’s too–Jesus already knew. This is why I’m angry. This is why I’m hurt. This is how I feel I’ve been wronged. Tissues piled up on the nightstand.

A hug and some empathy, and then the truth. Riley pulled out his Bible and began to read from it. Verse after verse, he spoke truth into my tender, hurt places. The anger unraveled to reveal the real struggle: distrust. Anger masks so much, doesn’t it? What an unproductive, addicting comfort. If I just stay mad, I don’t have to deal with my own sin.

The Word shattered my well-constructed glass globe of illusion and pretense. If I don’t trust God, no other part of my life makes sense. That’s true. Also true? In that moment, I definitely didn’t trust God.

And yet I can’t look back on a single season of life and not see God’s presence. He has pulled me through again and again and again. I shared my testimony (Christianese for “life story”) at small group a couple of weeks ago, and my story is fragrant with his lovingkindness. Every year and chapter is full-to-the-brim of his faithfulness and love. This is no “the universe just works things out” or instance of karma; this is my Creator, overflowing with grace, leading me. His fingerprints are everywhere.

But I only get more angry with God and others when well-meaning people offer cheap, temporary, human solutions to bind up my fractured soul. There is no activity, event, commitment, job, or gig that I can sign up for that will heal a single symptom of this issue if I haven’t dealt with the root cause. I need so much more than these band-aid fixes. Point me to God, point me to God, point me to God. I know I need him, even on days when I don’t want him, and I can assure you that more on my schedule will never change that.

I am certain that I will look back on this season and be thankful for it, or at least understand why it was necessary. Even typing that incites an eye roll at present, but history repeats itself, so I can say it with certainty: I know I am learning things now that will equip me for the future. My prayer over this is that my empathy and understanding will grow. I pray that I can one day sit across the table in a coffee shop somewhere and tell someone that I know where they are, that I’ve been there, too, and that God will redeem it.

So I’m starting to unravel this mess. A disaster of half-truths and lies and compromise that have left me in a heart-hardened state. Honestly? There’s still anger that lingers. There’s hurt and disappointment and frustration and sadness, too. Unfortunately, truth doesn’t usually dictate emotion on this side of heaven.

This is when I turn my chair back around and face my Jesus again. I’m in the middle of the first step in a journey of restoration and whole trust. I don’t live in the world of delusion–this is me telling you that every Christian I know has gone through junk, challenges, hardship–whatever you want to call crappy seasons of life, we’ve all been there.

But God? He can handle how I really feel. He can redeem every emotion, he can bring restoration, he can incite joy, he can make dead things come alive. Peace will reign again. All my ugly sin was nailed to the cross, all this heaviness can be laid at its foot, too. I’ve seen it happen a hundred times: redemption. And I love Jesus, but I’m not without my mess, my hurt, my anger, my distrust, my doubt, my frustration; I’m still figuring it out. And he’s right here with me.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28

Thank you for reading! You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube. If you’d like to be alerted whenever I publish a new post, you can follow me on Bloglovin’ or subscribe via email. Take a look at my Etsy shop where I sell tees, totes, sweatshirts, and pillow covers! Are you a blogger too? Check out my Blogger Mentorship Program.

Comments

  1. Nina McClure says

    May 15, 2017 at 8:45 am

    So beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing this with us. I remember learning this lesson that my emotions don’t scare God off… such a powerful truth! I think sometimes we avoid our emotions and avoid the truth not just because we don’t want to deal with them because it will be hard or unpleasant, but because we’re scared of them! I am so grateful for a God who understands me and my craziness even when I don’t. I really appreciate your vulnerability. I needed this reminder right now!

    • Blair Lamb says

      May 15, 2017 at 8:59 am

      Hi Nina, thank you for reading and for your encouraging comment. This truth is something I wish I had understood sooner in my life, because, as you wrote, “…my emotions don’t scare God off…” AMEN. xo

  2. Jessi | LifeAbundant-Blog.com says

    May 15, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Oh sweet girl, how I have felt this time and time again. As I walk through infertility and see moms able to conceive with different fathers, or under the influence of drugs, or with STDs, while here I am unable to even ovulate correctly, it hurts. I have shaken my fist at God so many times asking why he has chosen me for this journey. As infertility is affecting my daughter, who begs for a sibling I cannot give, it hurts. I’m such a blessed mess. Thank you for sharing this. It is going to positively impact more women than you realize.

    • Blair Lamb says

      May 15, 2017 at 9:11 am

      Thank you for sharing a piece of your journey with me, friend. Much love and support and endurance to you and your family–may God reveal wrap you in peace as you walk through this hard season. xoxo

  3. Bailey @ Becoming Bailey says

    May 15, 2017 at 2:09 pm

    Blair, I TOTALLY needed this post today! It’s no secret that I’ve been really upset about our surprise move this summer. I loved this post, this reminder I needed that God can handle my feelings. A friend recently reminded me that God is already there in the struggles I have ahead and it really reaffirmed me.

    • Blair Lamb says

      May 15, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      Hey Bailey! Thanks for your comment! I so agree with your friend and have also found comfort in this–I can’t surprise God with my emotions, no matter how big, intense, or explosive they are. He’s un-shockable! Best of luck to you as you prepare for your move. I know all about hard moves–praying peace and calm over you and your husband. xo

  4. Logan says

    May 15, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    My mom always told me, “God is a big boy. He can handle the truth. He can handle your anger, your tears, anything you’ve got, He can handle it. Give it to him.” Words to live by. I have spent a few nights sitting on my bed, sobbing, shaking my fist at Heaven over some things that have happened. Funny thing is, I came away closer to Him instead of farther away. Thank you for sharing! Love your blog. Keep up the good work!

    • Blair Lamb says

      May 16, 2017 at 10:38 am

      “God is a big boy.” I love that! Thanks for reading + commenting!

  5. Madeleine Cain says

    May 15, 2017 at 8:27 pm

    You are so brave to share this – I have been in this same place, time and time again. (How do I not learn? I think I am, slowly.) The anger, and therefore the “going through the motions”, giving God (and usually others) the cold shoulder because of it. It’s so comforting to know that He can handle what we are feeling, even reading through the Psalms and Job shows us this. And He does not punish us for telling Him how we feel, which is such an enormous blessing. Thank you, Blair!

    • Blair Lamb says

      May 17, 2017 at 8:20 am

      Amen, Madeleine! I like how you mentioned that your anger often results in giving others the cold shoulder, too. I can totally relate to that. It’s like a poison that seeps into every relationship when I’m not in right relationship with God. And it’s so damaging! Thanks for reading + commenting 🙂

  6. Haylee says

    May 15, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    Blair, thank you for being so vulnerable because I needed this without knowing it. I have definitely been “growing through the emotions” for a while, and I’ve been blaming it on burnout. It’s so much more; it’s a heart condition. You’re so inspirational, even when it feels like you may be broken. Healing will come, and you’re helping others heal through this post too. Thank you!

    • Blair Lamb says

      May 17, 2017 at 8:18 am

      I’m glad this encouraged you, Haylee. Thank you for your kind comment. xo

Hey, I’m Blair!

Blair Lamb | BlairBlogs.com

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I'm a small town Texas transplant, wife, and mom to two. I believe in intentional living in lieu of the world's breakneck pace and write honestly with the hope of encouraging other women. Grab a cup of warm and enjoy!
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