Lucy Maud Montgomery was the famous author of Anne of Green Gables. In her journal entry from Christmas Eve 1909 she left a record about how much anguish she was feeling at that point in her life: “I feel shrieking at [God] defiantly, ‘Why did you create me to suffer like this?’”*

She was certainly being honest. And that’s the point of today’s devotional.

When it comes to prayer, we can sometimes hide our true feelings from God—as if he can’t handle it. 

But he can.

I’m not advocating a lack of respect. I’m simply pointing out that crying out to God—and doing so with passion and honesty—is something we actually see within the Bible itself.

For example, listen to these words from David in Psalm 22:1-2: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.”

In his pain and desperation, David accused God of abandoning him and not listening to his prayers.

Another example is Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4. After fleeing from Jezebel he was at the end of his rope. He prayed: “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life…”

God made you. He understands. He cares. All of this is true even if you can’t see how all the pieces fit together. 

Go to him in honest prayer. If you’re frustrated, he can handle it. If you’re confused, he can handle it. If you’re scared, he can handle that too. And then be open to how he will hear and respond.

As we are reminded in Psalm 145:18: “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

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Notes:

-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on February 9, 2026.
-*Mary Henley Rubio and Elizabeth Hillman Waterston, eds, The Complete Journals of L.M. Montgomery: The PEI Years, 1901-1937 (Don Mills, Oxford, 1985/1987), 244.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.