Job 6

When Job opens his mouth to reply to Eliphaz, one thing is clear: He is angry. "Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams... Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid." (vs 14-15, 21)

I don’t blame him. Instead of offering sympathy and understanding to their friend in crisis, Job’s friends tried to load him down with guilt and shame. I think I would be angry too if I’d suffered the biggest calamity of my life and my "friends" visited me to tell me it was all my fault.

But something else caught my eye as I read this chapter of Job: "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life! Then I would still have this consolation—my joy in unrelenting pain—that I had not denied the words of the Holy One." (vs 8-10)

Job had earlier said that he felt like God’s arrows were pointed at him. Yet, he is still addressing God. He is addressing God in his anger. Isn’t that remarkable? Those who have this concept of God as some distant, harsh Deity should pay particular attention to this point. Job is screaming out in anger to God. And God doesn’t squash Job like a bug.

God can handle our emotions, especially our strong emotions. And more than simply "handling" them, He wants us to approach Him with any emotion we have. Whether it’s anger, grief, or happiness, God wants us to be real and authentic with Him. We should never be shy about being honest with God, no matter our emotions. Even when we are screaming out in pain and anger, God is still the best place to turn. He can handle all our emotions.