As strange as it may sound, even spiritual people – people full of prayer and good intentions -can become angry on their journey toward God.

This isn’t just regular human frustration. This is what St. John calls spiritual wrath: a kind of soul-level irritability that comes from impatience with ourselves, others, or even God.

It often shows up when spiritual beginners fall back into sins they thought they had conquered. They feel upset—not just because they’ve disappointed God, but because their ideal image of themselves has been shattered. They get frustrated that their spiritual life isn’t as advanced as they thought. “Why am I still struggling with this? I should be past this by now!” they think. That anger may then turn outward: toward others who seem to be doing better, toward people who don’t seem to try as hard, or even toward pastors or spiritual directors who offer correction.

The Frustration of Imperfect Progress

Some get so fed up with their faults that they become harsh with themselves. Others get annoyed by the flaws they see in their community. The peace they once felt in prayer now turns into restlessness or irritation. What used to be joyful becomes a battlefield. They try to pray or fast or confess, but because the emotional rewards aren’t there anymore, they feel dry, discouraged, and angry. And sometimes, they blame God for it.

They might say things like:

• “Why won’t God help me overcome this?”

• “Why is prayer so dry now?”

• “Why are others so lukewarm when I’m trying so hard?”

This frustration may even become bitterness or resentment. Some souls become overly scrupulous -constantly anxious about their spiritual condition. Others grow cynical or critical. And if someone tries to correct or humble them, they may bristle or withdraw, insisting that “no one understands them.”

The Hidden Root: A Desire for Control

What’s really going on here? In many cases, the soul has not yet surrendered. It still wants to be in control of its growth. It wants to measure progress, check boxes, and feel good about its devotion. But God isn’t building a resume – He’s forming a saint.

And the road to sainthood often leads through frustration, dryness, and mystery.

In this dark night, God gently removes the soul’s illusion that it is in charge. He strips away its ability to manipulate feelings or measure holiness. And in the process, the soul is humbled, healed, and—eventually—freed from the need to feel successful.

What Holiness Looks Like Instead

Truly mature souls are gentle with their faults and patient with others’. They don’t get angry when progress is slow. They understand that growth comes from grace, not effort alone. They no longer expect others to be perfect or to see the world as they do. They are not surprised by their own weakness, because they know the road to God is long—and that love, not perfectionism, is what He’s after.

Their prayer becomes quieter. Their hearts become softer. And the anger that once burned in them fades – replaced by trust, by surrender, by peace.