glory or woe

"objects of mercy who should have known wrath, we're filled with unspeakable joy."

these are lyrics from a song i didn't write and should therefore cite in a more appropriate manner but am not going to perhaps because i'm lazy but also because i'm taking no credit.

however, more to the point, these lyrics call for God's mercy to be a source of joy in the lives of His people. so often in my life (in fact almost always) the idea of His mercy is a source of sadness or maybe angst. i reflect mostly on the 'unfortunate reality' that i need grace and mercy and therefore am filled not with joy but with negative emotions (the angsty ones like sadness and frustration and guilt).

how different would life be if i instead thought of God's grace and mercy as a reason to praise Him? what if i went with the "wow God is actually willing to show mercy to me...praise God!!" mentality as opposed to the "wow i'm a bad person and constantly require God to bail me out with His mercy" thought process in which i typically wallow?

besides, how arrogant is that attitude...who went off and made me think i was perfect?