God’s wrath, the Bible expresses the concept of God’s wrath in several types of words. In Hebrew, ‘af, ebrah, haron, qetsef, hemah; In Greek, orgê and thymos, are used to describe wrath anger and fury. Jesus teaches in Matt 5:21-22 that being angry at one’s brother is in violation of the sixth commandment. Anger is often listed as sin in several passages (Gal 5:20, Eph 4:31, Col 3:8. 1 Tim 2:8, James 1:19-20). However, we see areas that Jesus gets angry, and God also acts wrathfully against sin. God’s wrath is in response to sin (Num 18:5, Josh 9:20; 22:20; 1 Chron 27:24; 2 Chron 19:10; 24:18, Matt 3:7). Understanding the wrath of God can be a practical help in the preventing of sin. Knowing that God hates sin provides a sense of seriousness to the sins that people commit. This seriousness is helpful in counseling to show that sin is not a matter of opinion but a very real and dangerous behavior to be avoided.
Mercy is an attribute of God that is commonly connected with God’s goodness. The Hebrew word often used is chesed and racham and in the New Testament the Greek word employed is eleos. This mercy is often mentioned with the grace of God (1 Tim 1:2, 2 Tim 1:1, Titus 1:4). God’s mercy is often in combination with his judgment (Rom 2:4). God is merciful in the postponement of judgment. This attribute of God is useful when counseling a person that is concerned about a wayward friend of relative. While acknowledging the danger that person is in God’s mercy can be highlighted.
The holiness of God can be viewed as a position or relationship between God and some person or thing. God is absolutely distinct from any of His creation. This attribute of holiness is distinct in nature to the other attributes because it connects with them on one level or another. Holiness is an essential aspect of God’s dealing with humans. While there is the nature of holiness there also seems to be an ethical aspect in Scripture. While humans cannot be separate in the same manner as God, they can be separate from evil and sin. This is to reflect God’s purity and holiness an aspect we cannot fully attain in this life. For counseling recognizing God’s holiness has several important ramifications. The holiness of God helps to provoke the feeling of awe and the transcendence of God. Revealing a profaneness in man who is not worthy to stand in front of the Holy One. This holiness is revealed in the moral law implanted on man’s heart and the law given to the Israelites to urge holiness. Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s holiness and is the only mediator between God and man.
Omnipotence is the power of God to do what He wills even if that is not actualized (Gen 18:14, Jer 32:27, Zechariah 8:6, Matt 3:9). This attribute of God is helpful because God being all powerful reveals that nothing is to hard for God. This can be of comfort but also a source of concern for some that since God is able, He did not do what one wished. It is wise to combine God’s omnipotence with the rest of His attributes explaining His goodness along with His holiness, omniscience is the knowing ability of God. In Counseling, showing God’s all-powerfulness can be of great comfort. Knowing that God is on His throne and He works all things together for the good of His people. What greater impetus is this to motive someone to greater faith in Christ Jesus?
God knows all things. God knows all actual and possible state of affairs (Ps 147:5, 1 John 3:20). God’s knowledge of all things provides comfort for the confused and anxious about their future. While they may not know what will happen or could happen God does, this should help shift the focus from mans limited perspective to God’s infinite perspective. A helpful narrative in the Old Testament is that of Joseph and his response to his brother’s evil (Gen 45:6). The Power of God’s all-knowing character can bring great comfort since God is merciful and just, He sees all the evil and will repay accordingly. He can provide great comfort to those of His people who do not know what to do or what choices to make.
Closely tied to His knowledge is God’s omnipresence that is God is present everywhere. This provides comfort to the hurting, God is not just a mystical being in the sky, but He is a God who is with us. God is present in times of good and times of trouble. God in His presence is living and active, He is with us in all of our trial’s troubles, in our hard times and good times.