God Doesn't Fly Off The Handle

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8

Earlier this evening my daughter was being naughty. She wasn't listening. I was becoming frustrated, but trying to be patient. I was thinking about whether or not I should fight this or that battle with her (she is supremely strong-willed so every little thing can turn into a battle when she is on a roll) or whether I should chalk up some of her misbehavior to being tired. I wasn't really sure what to do.

 
And in the moment, in the midst of all this, I had the thought, "I am sure glad that God doesn't fly off the handle. I am glad God is patient and kind with me." The thought fueled my own patience; I wanted to be an icon of God even if she doesn't know that was my purpose.
 
Do we view God as someone who flies off the handle? Do we think him cruel--just waiting to pour out his wrath upon us at our very least trespass?
 
God does judge. Yes, he does. But he is patient and kind and makes a fair and righteous judgment. He delights in kindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth.
 
This is what the LORD says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:

that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the LORD.

Remembering about how good God is to me,  how patient, and how kind he is...and how much he loves me, enables me to be more patient with my daughter and others close to me. Hopefully, it will allow her and others to be patient with me. God doesn't fly off the handle even if that is what we do.