Fear No Fear

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8, MEV). Slow to anger. This is a GREAT quality and one of the aspects to God’s character that we consistently get wrong. We are CONSUMED by the idea that God is upset with us. That He is angry. Irritated. One step away from giving us a divine backhand. But that is NOT how God operates. That is NOT how He interacts with us. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17, MEV). He’s NOT mad at us. AND He is SLOW to anger. I mean, if you refuse to let go of the idea that God is impatient and upset with your inability to do whatever it is you should be doing, at least embrace the idea He is SLOWLY getting angry. That should be a GREAT comfort. Jesus said to John in John’s Revelation: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me to give to each one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12, MEV). SOON. Jesus said He was coming SOON. It’s been – from OUR perspective – over two THOUSAND years. If God calls THAT soon, how long will it be before SLOW happens? You’ll be long gone from this world, even if you take a long time to live (Psalm 91:16). God is LOVE. He is quick to BLESS and SLOW to anger. Don’t let the world’s ideas about God inform your view of Him. Take His Word AS His word. He is SLOW to anger. He isn’t mad at you. He’s smiling, arms open, waiting to bring you in for a loving hug. Yes, He corrects us. But He does it with a smile, not a raised hand. He isn’t mad at you. He isn’t. Trust Him on it.