Mad Week: Angry God?

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” (Psalm 145:8)

For the next week, we’re going to have an anger problem. Okay, we always have an anger problem. For the next week, we’re going to try to see our anger for what it mostly is—a real problem that God can really help us with.

mad_350But wait just a minute! Isn’t God angry a lot? Isn’t the Bible full of verses that talk about His wrath and vengeance and anger, especially in the Old Testament? Well, yes and no. The Bible does talk about God’s anger and justice, but it also talks about His patience, mercy, and forgiveness.

In fact, today’s verse makes it clear that God’s character is built on the fact that He does not get angry easily. What He is known for is not flying off the handle or being hot-headed. He sometimes put His justified anger on hold for whole lifetimes before expressing it against those who had rejected His loving direction.

What we’re hoping for as his kids this week is to look more and more like Him in controlling our anger, slowing it down, and not letting our selfish anger drive our lives.

Think: How often do you think of God as being angry? How often do you hear others describe Him that way? How long do you think we would last if God was not always in control of His anger?

Pray: Thank God that He is rich in love, grace, and compassion – and slow to anger.

Do: Notice this week who in your life tends to be quick to anger and who seems better at slowing it down.