Wilt thou be angry with us forever? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? -- Psalms 85:5 (KJV)When things don’t go well in our lives we might be prone to ask, “What did I do wrong to deserve this?” The subconscious answer that rises to the surface often might be, “God must be angry with me.” Immediately we embark on an expedition searching for how God might be angry with us. Usually we can find a few things of worthy mention. The real question is, however, are our bad days caused by God being angry? Do we have a God who smites us for every little thing we wrongly do or don't do? I think not. Consequences of our wrongful actions, of course, play out; God, however, is faithful and just and forgives, forgives, forgives. The Psalmist's lead-in to this verse is filled with the praises for God's forgiveness. Just because we can't feel it at some particularly difficult moment, or want to blame God for our troubles does not make God angry with us forever.
The place to retreat to when times are hard and you're feeling life is laying into you unfairly is into a faith space. Reaffirm the rock of your faith - the ever present covenant God made with you, to love you and to send Christ to be your salvation. In verse 8 the Psalmist's answer to his question of God's anger toward us is: "He promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly." Don't go to the silly place that God hates me and has it in for me, I'm just going to go off and eat worms. Instead, affirm God's promise of peace and claim the everlasting love freely given for you and all the generations.
Prayer:
When life is a struggle O God, let me find the stalwart anchor in your Spirit. Grant us the peace, patience, and endurance to last through this time of trial and break out on the other side of it wiser and brighter and more connected than we've ever been. With Christ's help, Amen.
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