How Do You View God?

How Do You View God?
As a Christian, I've been taught the various attributes of God and they really seem to run the gamut - loving, just, mighty, gracious, merciful, jealous, gentle, unchanging, fearsome, holy, righteous, wise, sovereign, perfect, et cetera, et cetera.
But as a sometimes stubborn, type-A, self-proclaimed control freak, I often filter God's character and choose to see him in a harsher light. I tend to believe that God is only righteous and just, and therefore demands perfect obedience all the time with no room for error. I actually don't mind this view of God - I think he has every right to demand that his people live up to his standards. However, the reality is that I don't and can't live up to his standards on my own, and that's when I often fail to embrace the loving, gracious, merciful side of God.
This year has been a season of getting to know God in that way, and it's actually been quite difficult for me. I realize I'm not used to anyone just wholeheartedly wanting to love and bless me. I'm reminded of Jacob a lot these days, who for all his faults and failures still understood the giving nature of God and never shied from asking God for blessings.
So, how do you view God? Is it ever a bit one-sided because of your personality, upbringing, education, etc?