Some religious groups portray God as a mighty and scary entity who sits above the clouds and casts thunderbolts to punish sinners. According to them, anyone who dares to step against God’s will or to even entertain thoughts contrary to his commandments will be condemned to burn in the fires of hell forever.

Such a depiction is completely contradictory to the true nature of God, who is the embodiment of love, virtue, and mercy. Gita wisdom assures us that God is not angry with us. How could a God be considered loving if he deemed us all permanently tainted for some supposed sin done by some distant ancestor — as if wrongdoing were a genetic defect that is inescapably passed down to every successive generation for all of eternity?

In categorical contrast with such a vision of a wrathful divinity, Gita wisdom reveals that God is eminently personal and personable. He is a divinity who is deeply passionate about us. He is madly in love with us and constantly seeks our well-being and upliftment. He repeatedly descends into this mortal and fallible world to restore order, offering us a clear and secure path toward him. He resides in our hearts as a loving super soul, constantly watching, waiting, and working for us. When we make even the slightest gesture of turning toward him, he immediately reciprocates and provides us with countless opportunities to connect with him. In spite of our turning away from him repeatedly   over multiple lifetimes, he never abandons us. He never loses hope in us; in fact, the Bhagavad-gita (18.64) states that he is determined to love us. 

Indeed, God’s unflinching love is the basis of our hope for our elevation, liberation and reunion with him in his abode. 

Summary:

God is not mad at you; he is mad for you.

Think it over: 

  • Why do some people think that God is mad at them? 
  • How does Gita wisdom provide a different vision of God? 
  • How does understanding the Gita’s vision of a loving divinity change your attitude towards your relationship with God?

Audio explanation of the article is here: https://gitadaily.substack.com/p/beyond-stereotypes-of-a-wrathful

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18.64: Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit.

To know more about this verse, please click on the image