Is It Right for You to Be Angry?
Allow God's Spirit to heal you of all bitterness, rage, and resentment, for He sees restoration and good things in mind for you.
David Wilkerson addresses the dangerous nature of harboring resentment against God, highlighting how many believers secretly hold grudges due to unmet expectations or unanswered prayers. He uses the story of Jonah, who became angry when God spared Ninevah after their repentance, to illustrate how disappointment can lead to a sense of betrayal and entitlement to anger. Wilkerson emphasizes that while God understands our pain, allowing bitterness to fester can lead to destruction. He encourages believers to seek healing from resentment and trust in God's plans for restoration, reminding them that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
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Carrying around resentment against God is one of the most dangerous things a Christian can do. Yet I am shocked by the number of believers who are peeved at the Lord. They may not admit it, but deep inside, they hold some kind of grudge against him. Why? Because they believe he is not interested in their lives or problems. Because he has not answered a particular prayer or acted in a certain way on their behalf, they are convinced he does not care.
Jonah received a call from God to go to Ninevah and preach the message of judgment: the city would be destroyed in forty days. After faithfully delivering the message, Jonah waited for God to begin the destruction. But forty days passed and nothing happened. Why? Because Ninevah repented and God changed his mind about destroying them.
This angered Jonah and he cried out against God, "You've betrayed me! You've changed everything without telling me and I look like a false prophet!" Jonah was disappointed because things hadn't gone as planned. God had changed course and Jonah's pride was hurt.
God understands our cries of pain and confusion. But a peeved spirit can grow into rage and God will ask us, as he asked Jonah, "Is it right for you be angry?" (Jonah 4:9).
Jonah actually defended his right to be annoyed with God. "I have every right to be angry, even to the day I die" (same verse).
Many Christians are like Jonah -- they feel they have a right to be mad at God. "I pray and read my Bible; I obey God's Word and live right. So why do I still have so many problems?"
Beloved, I encourage you to allow God's Spirit to heal you of all bitterness, rage, resentment -- before it destroys you. You may see only ruin in your life but God sees restoration! He has good things in mind for you because "He is a rewarder of those who diligently see Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Resentment Against God
- The Example of Jonah
- God's Question to Us
- The Right to Be Angry
- Many Christians feel they have a right to be mad at God
- But God asks us to allow His Spirit to heal us of bitterness and resentment
Key Quotes
“You may see only ruin in your life but God sees restoration!” — David Wilkerson
“He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Allow God's Spirit to heal you of all bitterness and resentment.
- Remember that God sees restoration and good things in mind for you, even when you see only ruin in your life.
- Diligently seek God and He will reward you.