In the midst of life’s pressures, suffering, and real injustice, we often feel cornered by one question, “Can I complain to God?” This question arises when prayers feel unanswered or when suffering strikes for no apparent reason. However, this question is often taboo. We often hear advice that complaining is not a good thing to do, and that worrying about things beyond our control is futile. Meanwhile, if we dare to be honest with ourselves, aren’t there times when complaining is the deepest form of honesty in the human heart? An attempt to find meaning behind suffering.
In today’s reading, Job voices a very human struggle. He not only suffers physically and emotionally, but is also wounded psychologically and even spiritually by the verdict of his friends. They claim that Job’s suffering is the result of his sin. But Job loudly rejects this assumption. He shows that even the wicked can live in abundance and prosperity. Their children rejoice, their livestock multiply, their homes are safe, and they can laugh. Job's statement goes against the conventional wisdom of his time—and perhaps also ours today—which expects that a righteous life will always appear smooth. However, one thing that needs our attention is that Job did not complain to humans, but to God. He still directed all his complaints in the right direction—to the Creator. This is not a form of defiance, but rather an honest expression of faith. In his downfall, Job still believed that God was the only place worthy of receiving his honesty.
From a psychological perspective, complaints can be seen as part of a healthy 'coping mechanism'. Modern psychology divides coping into two types: emotion-focused and problem-focused coping. What Job did was included in problem-focused coping—directing attention to the core of the problem, namely existential anxiety over the injustice and absurdity of reality. In other words, his complaints were the first step towards healing, not an escape. Healthy complaints are complaints directed to God, not just negative murmurs that prolong the bitterness. Complaining to God is not a sin (as long as it is done in moderation/not excessively), but rather part of an honest and profound spiritual journey.
Bible friends, do we still feel guilty when we want to complain to God? To some extent, it is natural as a form of our caution, but do not make it an attempt to silence the voice of a grieving heart. This silencing is the same as denying the condition of our hearts which may still feel troubled, trying to digest everything that has happened. Remember that God opens His ears to those who honestly express their heartache.
