What practical steps can we take when feeling God's "wrath" as in Psalm 88:7? Setting the Scene: Psalm 88:7 “Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; You have overwhelmed me with all Your waves. Selah” Because God’s Word is accurate and literally true, the experience described here is real: a believer feeling crushed under divine displeasure. What now? Remember God’s Character Revealed in His Word • God’s wrath is righteous, never capricious (Nahum 1:2–3). • His steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136); wrath is momentary, mercy is eternal (Isaiah 54:8). • Hold both truths together so fear doesn’t eclipse hope. Confess and Repent Without Delay • Ask the Spirit to uncover any specific sin (Psalm 139:23–24). • Name it plainly to God: “I acknowledged my sin to You” (Psalm 32:5). • Rest in the promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9). Pour Out Honest Lament • Follow the psalmist’s example—speak raw feelings instead of stuffing them (Psalm 88:1–6, 9–18). • God welcomes the whole story; lament is an act of faith, not rebellion. • Use the Psalms as vocabulary when words run out. Cling to the Cross • God’s wrath against sin was fully satisfied in Jesus (Romans 3:25–26). • “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). • Preach that truth to yourself whenever guilt resurfaces. Seek Fellowship and Accountability • Isolation magnifies despair; godly friends share burdens (Galatians 6:2). • Invite a mature believer to pray with you and speak truth over you. • Submit to wise counsel even when emotions resist. Turn Affliction into Intercession • Let the weight you feel spur prayer for others under discipline or judgment. • Job’s restoration began when he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10). • Intercession shifts focus from self-absorption to God’s redemptive agenda. Anchor Your Hope in Promises • “Though He cause grief, He will show compassion” (Lamentations 3:32). • Discipline proves sonship (Hebrews 12:5–8); expect a harvest of righteousness (v. 11). • Memorize verses that spotlight future grace (1 Peter 5:10). Cultivate Daily Obedience • Small, quiet acts of faith—reading, serving, giving—rebuild joy brick by brick. • Obedience does not earn favor; it clears the fog so you can see the favor already granted. • Keep short accounts with God; don’t let sin pile up again. Sing Truth to Your Soul • Hymns and psalms plant doctrine in the heart when the mind is tired (Colossians 3:16). • Singing out loud counters the enemy’s accusations and lifts perspective. • Choose songs that exalt Christ’s finished work. Wait with Expectation • “In quietness and trust shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). • God often works in silence; feel free to journal markers of His subtle kindness each day. • Anticipate a fresh testimony: “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). |
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