I'm reading a few books for my Spiritual Direction course coming up in a few weeks. I've been interested in how these books present God's character.
One book on contemplative prayer (which emphasizes listening to God rather than always talking at him in our prayer time) discusses the idea that God "slaps us upside the head" to teach us a lesson in certain situations. His character is to intercede on our behalf and guide us out of darkness and into his will for our lives, not the opposite, and not to slap us around any victimizing way, however the consequences to our actions may feel.
"God will correct your behavior, but he never condemns your worth. It is the enemy who sends such thoughts as "I am no good", "I will never amount to anything", "I am a failure", "I am a nobody", "I am not important." But God says you are his "dear one" (he chooses you and knows all about you), his "beloved child," and a thousand other wonderful things." (Peter Lord, Hearing God, p. 132)
His character is good. And as he delights in us, his aim is not to shame us but to grow us up in healthy character like his.
