How do I get the image of God as being angry out of my mind?

TL;DR:

Some claim that God is angry and takes pleasure in punishing and torturing sinners now and for all eternity. However, a careful reading of the Bible shows God as both just and gracious; righteous and compassionate. The best way to get the true and complete image of God is by reading the Bible.

what does the bible say?

As Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai, the Lord proclaimed His nature: “Yahweh! The Lord! A God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin, but do not excuse the guilty” (Exodus 34:6-7). He also emphasized His jealousy for our worship: “You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you” (Exodus 34:14). These passages highlight that God created us for worship and relationship, while sin entered through humanity's rebellion (Genesis 3). God is justly angry with unrepentant sinners and punishes those who reject Him (Deuteronomy 4:21; 1 Kings 11:9; 2 Chronicles 25:15; Psalm 78:58-59). Yet, out of love, He sent Jesus to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 4:42). Christ's death and resurrection satisfy God's wrath and offer eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9), showcasing His immense love and dismantling the notion that God is angry with us.

from the old testament

God is compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, loving and faithful (Exodus 34:6).
God forgives all types of sin, but He also punishes the guilty (Exodus 34:7).
God is jealous for us (Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9, 6:15).
God does not want to destroy people (Jonah 4:2).

from the new testament

God is love (1 John 4:8).
God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:4-11).
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it (John 3:16-18).
God is patient and does not want anyone to be destroyed. He wants people to repent of their sin and turn to Him for salvation (2 Peter 3:9).
God is kind, tolerant and patient with people (Romans 2:4).

implications for today

God is not angry with you. The image of God being angry come from a worldly narrative not grounded in the Bible. Many fall prey to this angry image of God because of unfavorable life experiences (i.e. parental neglect or abuse, untimely death of family or friends), willful denial of God as a justification for their sinning, or misrepresentations made by those representing of God (i.e. false teaching such as legalism, abuses of church authority). The ultimate cure for healing a false image of God is encountering the true God who is revealed in the Bible. God loves you and has demonstrated His love for you by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for your sins. God will condemn and punish those who reject His Son, but those who receive Him will be saved, forgiven, and enjoy a loving relationship with God now and for all eternity (John 3:18, Romans 1:18, 3:21-28, 1 Peter 3:18). God invites everyone to know His grace and mercy by trusting in Him for salvation (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4).

understand

The Bible reveals God as compassionate and loving, even in His justice.
Jesus came to save, not condemn, offering forgiveness and eternal life, demonstrating God's love through His sacrifice.
Overcoming the perception of an angry God involves engaging with Scripture and embracing His grace, leading to a loving relationship with Him.

reflect

What past experiences have influenced my view of God as angry, and how can I let the Bible shape that view?
How does recognizing God's compassion shape your view of God as an angry God?
What steps can I take to deepen my understanding of God's nature?

engage

What challenges do people have in understanding that God is angry at sin and injustice, while also loving?
How do misconceptions about God's anger impact my relationships, and how can I reflect His grace in my interactions?
How do contemporary views of God’s anger misrepresent Him?