Episode Summary
In this powerful and timely episode, Nate Labadorf takes listeners deep into the emotion that most Christians would rather ignore—anger. Whether it’s frustration with unanswered prayers, disappointment in ourselves, or resentment toward others, anger has a way of sneaking into even the most devoted spiritual lives. This episode explores how anger—far from being a shameful sign of spiritual failure—can actually be a key part of the journey toward holiness. Turning again to St. John of the Cross and his work Dark Night of the Soul, Nate unpacks how even spiritual anger can become a tool in the hands of God, used to strip away pride, reveal hidden idols, and cultivate spiritual maturity.
Many of us can relate to the experience of having a deeply moving quiet time, only to lose our sense of peace in a moment of stress or disappointment. This emotional whiplash leaves us wondering if we’re really growing in our faith at all. St. John understood this deeply human experience, and he had surprising insight into how wrath—when brought into the light of God’s grace—can be transformed. Through historical context, biblical reflection, practical wisdom, and even modern psychological insight, this episode explores how anger reveals our false expectations, our fear of being out of control, and our impatience with God, others, and ourselves. But it also shows how God can redeem all of it.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
In the first segment, Nate explores how St. John of the Cross describes the “imperfections of wrath” in beginners on the spiritual path. He paints a vivid image of the soul as a child being weaned from the breast—bitter, confused, and angry when God removes the emotional “sweetness” of His presence. It’s in these seasons of dryness and frustration that the soul learns to stop depending on feelings and starts seeking God for who He truly is. Nate shows how this anger, when unexamined, can manifest in spiritual pride—leading us to judge others harshly or beat ourselves up for not growing fast enough. But St. John reminds us: impatience isn’t humility. It’s pride in disguise. And what God wants to produce in us is spiritual meekness—patient, trusting endurance through every season of the soul.
In segment two, Nate brings in a biblical and evangelical response to the topic. While St. John focuses on purifying the soul through detachment, Scripture also affirms that anger itself isn’t always sinful. God gets angry. Jesus got angry. Righteous anger—anger at injustice, sin, or corruption—can reflect the very heart of God. From Jesus overturning tables in the temple to the psalmists pouring out their fury in prayer, we see throughout the Bible that anger, when submitted to God, can become a holy force. Nate explores stories like Phinehas, the imprecatory psalms, and even Paul’s bold confrontations as examples of godly zeal. But he also cautions against the danger of letting righteous anger morph into self-righteousness, reminding listeners that anger must be tempered with humility, grounded in Scripture, and aligned with God’s purposes.
The third segment brings it home with practical application. Nate invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with spiritual anger and offers a simple but powerful prayer practice: pause, pray, reflect, and assess. This process turns moments of frustration into moments of transformation, helping us invite God into our emotions instead of reacting out of them. He encourages listeners to ask deeper questions about their anger—what unmet need, fear, or hurt might it be revealing? And if the anger is chronic or rooted in deeper wounds, he offers guidance on when and how to seek Christian counseling or therapy. This isn’t just spiritual advice; it’s a holistic, grace-filled path toward healing.
Finally, in the last segment, Nate offers a word of hope. Anger, he says, is not the enemy. It’s a signpost. A doorway. A space where God wants to meet us—not to shame us, but to shape us. Whether your fire is burning because of disappointment, pain, or injustice, God’s grace can enter that space and transform it. He can turn wrath into courage, frustration into faith, and bitterness into humility. This is the hope of the gospel: that even our most difficult emotions are not wasted but redeemed.
Key Quotes from the Episode
“The soul that learns to master its fire burns not in destruction but in divine love.” – St. John of the Cross
“Be angry and do not sin… and give no opportunity to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:26
This Episode Is for You If:
You feel frustrated with your spiritual growth or lack of progress
You’ve experienced anger at God, others, or yourself and don’t know what to do with it
You struggle with impatience when your prayers seem unanswered
You feel ashamed of your emotions and wonder if they disqualify you
You want a deeper, more emotionally honest relationship with God
Practical Reflections and Action Steps
This week, when you feel anger bubbling up—pause. Don’t react. Don’t hide it. Instead, pray: “Lord, transform this fire into patience and wisdom.” Ask yourself, “What is this anger showing me about my heart?” Then reflect: Am I trying to control something? Am I afraid of failure? Am I avoiding a deeper wound?
Use Psalm 139:23–24 as a guide for this self-examination. And if your anger feels overwhelming or constant, it may be time to reach out for support. A Christian counselor can help you uncover the root of that fire and invite Christ’s healing presence into it. Remember, transformation isn’t instant. God works through process, not performance.
A Word of Hope
God doesn’t waste anything—not even your anger. Through the refining fire of the “dark night,” He reveals what needs to be healed, pruned, and purified. When we bring our frustrations to Him in trust, He meets us there with grace. The same God who turned Moses’ fury into leadership, Luther’s indignation into reform, and Peter’s impulsiveness into courage can do the same with you. You’re not disqualified by your anger—you’re being refined through it. Let God meet you in the fire, and trust Him to transform it into light.
Next Week’s Episode
Join us next time for Episode 8: Spiritual Gluttony – When Hunger for God Becomes a Distraction. We’ll explore how even good spiritual desires can become idols when we seek experiences more than the God behind them. Don’t miss it.
Stay Connected
Visit freshgroundtheology.com for resources, guided reflections, and access to our listener community. Subscribe to The Distracted Christian Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with someone wrestling with frustration or emotional burnout.
Have a story or reflection to share? Reach out to freshgroundtheology@gmail.com—we’d love to hear from you.
Let’s keep walking together. Even in your anger, God is closer than you think.
Fresh Ground Theology 
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