Hope After an AbortionSýnishorn

Emotions: Anger

While praying through your losses yesterday, you may have found yourself becoming angry at the things that have been lost. It is natural to feel anger toward ourselves for our choices, anger towards other people involved in our pregnancy and abortion, or anger at God because He didn’t intervene. Although loss and death are regular parts of the human experience, deep down we know that this is not how the world is meant to be so we feel anger at the brokenness of ourselves, others, and the world.

Often when we feel anger welling up in us, it can feel as if everything in our life is bleak and dark. And when our anger is triggered – whether by babies, certain movies or songs, sex, and so forth – it can often feel like a storm cloud has suddenly blocked out the sun, suffocating our peace and happiness.

In Psalm 23, the psalmist describes himself as walking through a valley of deep darkness; the once idyllic and peaceful picture has now turned dark and frightening. There are enemies and death and sadness, and probably quite a bit of anger and confusion on the psalmist's part.

So where can he find comfort in the midst of his anger and grief? In the presence of the Lord. The Lord has not left him alone as he walks through the darkness. 

Not only does God promise His presence but also His protection and guidance. The rod, used by a shepherd to protect sheep from predators and check them for injuries, is God’s promise to protect us from spiritual attack and care for our wounds when we process the traumas of life. The staff,  used by a shepherd to rescue a wayward sheep who has slipped or gotten entrapped, is a symbol of the way the Lord promises to unhook us from the bitterness, hatred, or shame that can so easily ensnare us when we are angry. God’s Word and His Spirit serve to guide us through our anger and onward towards repentance and forgiveness.

In this world we will have troubles; the Bible is clear about this. But when we find ourselves angry and overcome by darkness, the Lord will walk with us. Jesus promises us His presence, and He promises to eventually lead us through this darkness and into a life of abundance and joy.