Is God mad at you?

Do you wake up some mornings thinking God is mad at you?  Maybe he’s disappointed that you over-indulged again (whether it be with food, Facebook, TV or gossip), or maybe you think he’s hurt that you didn't pray enough (or read your Bible enough, or serve others enough). So what do you do?  Try harder?  Resolve to do better?  Beat yourself up for your sin or sink low in guilt and remorse? No, no, no!  Don’t flog yourself with regret or devise a plan to be good.  There’s no "good news” in be good or do better. Why?  Because you can’t!  You may have some level of success for a while but, in the end, trying to be good always lets you down.

Instead, look heavenward.  God wrote a letter to you and he signed his name and he promises that, if you’ll fix your mind on him, he’ll rearrange your thought process so that tomorrow’s actions will reflect his love for you, not project another failure.   Psalm 103 holds some of his words that have the power to ease your soul and fill your heart with hope.  Why not bask in their truth right now?

Praise the Lord, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.  [He] is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.  He will not constantly accuse us nor remain angry forever.  He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve.  His unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.  [He] is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  [Why? Because] he understands how weak we are; he knows we are only dust.  [Still his love] remains forever with those who fear him.