But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15 NIV
Slow to Anger
Back in 2022 Polaris Strategic Insights released their first Rage Index. The index’s first edition queried Canadians on six key topics: the federal government, provincial governments, the Canadian economy, personal finances, changes happening in Canada, and the latest stories in the news. The polling firm’s conclusion was we’re pretty grumpy about almost all of it, but just a small percentage are at forehead-vein-throbbing levels of true rage. Inflation has deflated our moods and gas is no laughing matter. We’re peeved at our politicians and even more annoyed with the protests they’ve inspired.
***
Anger is expressed in a variety of ways. I have a friend who blew his top when angry, but then it was over, and he acted as if nothing had happened. The problem was that is frightened people, and they didn’t know how to react. Others are slow burn people who stay angry for a long time, and they end up with few friends. While anger is normally viewed in a negative light, as it should be, there also is righteous anger, that rises out of injustice and the mistreatment of others. Our God sees all that takes place, including our sin and the wrongs that are so much a part of life on this sin-filled planet. He would have every right to get righteously vexed at it all. But He loves the world, and He loves us. So, in Psalm 86:15 we read, “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” God loves us so much and is patient with us, waiting for us to turn from our sin and put our trust in Him.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley