Walking With Christ

Psalm 103:8-10 (8)The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (9)He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. (10)He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.(ESV)

Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?(ESV)

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.(ESV)

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.(ESV)

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.(ESV)

Breaking Free from the Fear of God’s Wrath

I used to think that God was always angry with me. Every hardship, every struggle, I assumed was evidence of His wrath. I grew up in a “fire and brimstone” church where even laughing in church felt dangerous—as if God might strike me down for irreverence.

But over time, I realized something:
“When I was a child, I thought like a child” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

As I dug deeper into Scripture, I saw that God is not eager to punish. He is slow to anger, rich in love, and full of mercy. Even when He disciplines, it is out of love, never hatred.

Understanding Life’s Hardships: Three Categories of Events

Not every hardship is God punishing you. There are three main types of events that shape our lives:

1. Consequences of Our Own Actions (Cause & Effect)
   Many struggles we face are simply natural results of our choices.

If you don’t pay your water bill, the water gets shut off.
If you don’t study, you fail the test.
God doesn’t need to intervene supernaturally to teach this lesson—cause and effect does that for Him.

2. Discipline from God
   God disciplines those He loves to guide us back to Him (Hebrews 12:6). But His discipline isn’t about cruelty or revenge—it’s about correction and growth.

If missing your water bill wasn’t just an oversight but a pattern of poor priorities, God might allow financial struggles to get your attention.
If you continue ignoring Him, He might remove distractions to bring you back to Him.
Even discipline is mercy—it’s a Father correcting a child for their good.

3. Events We Didn’t Cause but Still Affect Us
   Some hardships happen simply because we live in a broken world.

You didn’t cause a family member’s illness.
You didn’t ask for that betrayal.
You didn’t create the economic struggles that cost you your job.
Yet, even in these moments, God is near (Psalm 34:18). He doesn’t promise a life free of pain, but He does promise His presence in the midst of it.

Final Thought: God Is Not Angry With You

Many people assume their hardships mean God is punishing them, but that’s not always the case.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.(ESV)

Yes, there are natural consequences and times of discipline, but God’s love is never removed from us. He is for you, not against you.

If you’re struggling with guilt, ask yourself: “Am I assuming God’s anger when I should be trusting His love?”

You are not forsaken. You are not unloved. God is not waiting to strike you down—He is waiting to bring you closer.