How Can You Adjust to God's Plan and Purpose?

Jonah failed to understand God’s objective in saving Nineveh from destruction. Is it possible to view a situation from God’s perspective when anger has pervaded your life? Consider how anger, resentment, and bitterness block accepting God’s plan and purpose.

Anger, resentment, and bitterness create self-centeredness, which impedes accepting any alternative that God presents to us. God wanted Jonah to realize if he, Jonah, felt sorrow for a plant that died, how much more did God pity the people of Nineveh who were bound for destruction.

Jonah refused to accept that God loves all people, so a lesson from Jonah is that God designed us to be adaptable. 

Rigidity and resistance serve as barriers to experiencing the gifts of joy and peace that come from being flexible to God’s leadership so that you can serve him in an ever-changing world. May God bless you.  

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Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” 

~John 8:12 Christian Standard Bible 

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Could You Define How Your Will Differs from God's Will?

Can you describe a defining moment that changed the course of your life? For Jonah, it was facing what it means to be accountable for God’s call. A basic truth from Jonah is that God’s patience allows events to run their course until you can commit to his transforming call.

Refusing God’s call is driven by your emotional disposition, previous experiences, and prejudice. While God permits you to sidestep what could bring you unspeakable joy, he will use you to complete a task even when your attitude is in opposition to his plan and purpose.

Can you imagine what needs to happen for you to bring your free will in line with how God wants you to serve him? Consider God’s promise from Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not your own judgement; always let God lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” 

May God bless and keep you.                         

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Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I [the Lord God], am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you, to give you my unfailing mercies. 

~Isaiah 55:3 The Living Bible 

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Is It Possible to Refuse God's Call?

Each day can teach important lessons that prevent mistakes from being repeated. Jonah’s experience with God teaches us lessons that should not be ignored. His view concerning who should be accepted into God’s family was too narrow.

Jonah’s response to God could be defined as passive-aggressive. He refused to be honest with God about being unwilling to deliver God’s message to the city of Nineveh. Instead, he left the country in an effort to avoid God’s purpose for his life. 

Jonah could have emphatically stated, “I will not accept your call, your invitation.” However, Jonah refused to openly communicate with God. His internalized emotions were loaded with anger and fear. A defining moment can be your expressing to God exactly what you think, feel, need and want. This is possible when done with respect and honesty.

God will listen and then wait for you to be more trusting and confident.                  

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Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 

~Lamentations 3:22-24 New International Version 

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Can Anger Be Expressed Constructively by Blaming God?

Anger can be constructive when expressed with restraints that restrict revenge from taking control. Do you believe it’s possible to subdue an angry attitude? It’s important to understand that uncontrolled anger can ricochet with harsh consequences.

Anger expressed as hatred can be treacherous. When God asked Jonah if his anger was justified, he answered with an affirming, “Yes!” Can you constructively express anger when you believe God is the source of your trouble?

Anger internalized is extremely risky once it transforms into depression. God offered Jonah a way out of his intense anger and hatred by making sure he viewed the situation from God’s perspective. Anger will dissipate when there is a readiness to let it go, made possible by the transforming wisdom and power of God. 

Now is the time to make a fresh start, which you can do, with God’s help.                     

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But as for those who serve the Lord, he will redeem them; everyone who takes refuge in him will be freely pardoned. 

~Psalm 34:22 The Living Bible 

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Do You Need a Better Source for Managing Anger?

Have you ever been consumed with anger when you didn't get what you wanted? Jonah believed God failed him in two ways. First, God refused to destroy the people of Nineveh as Jonah had prophesied. 

Then as he sat sulking in the desert heat outside the city, the plant God provided for shade withered and died. That plant was a source of shade for Jonah, so when it died, he wanted to die. He believed God was causing him pain and suffering.

God asked Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry?” A primary skill for managing anger is to ask, “Do I have the right to be angry, considering the circumstances? Is there a better way to manage this situation?” Think about the issue from God’s perspective. God’s word encourages you to let go of anger by earnestly asking, “Is my anger justified?” The Holy Spirit will free you from anger’s captivity.

      

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For he rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son [Jesus], in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

~Colossians 1:13-14 New American Standard Bible 

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Is It Possible to View Any Situation from God's Perspective?

Have you experienced intense anger because you felt entitled to that anger? Jonah felt justified with his anger because God refused to destroy Nineveh for their evil ways. Instead, God demonstrated mercy and forgiveness when the people repented.

Jonah felt embarrassed and betrayed because God spared Nineveh, so picture Jonah sitting in the desert’s hot, blistering sun, pouting and feeling diminished in credibility. God then caused a huge plant to spring up to provide shade for him.

His enjoyment was short lived when a worm destroyed the plant, causing Jonah to feel like dying. Had Jonah been able to pacify his anger by viewing the situation from God’s perspective, he could have celebrated with the people of Nineveh. Is anger blocking you from sensing God’s presence?

Ask God for spiritual clarity and guidance so you can live in peace with yourself and others.  Do it now.             

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Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

~2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New International Version 

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Where Does Your Vulnerability Reside?

God gave us the biblical account of Jonah because we tend to model his attitudes and behaviors. We will never be swallowed by a large fish or be called by God to prophesy the doom a great city. We are prone to becoming angry and resentful as we encounter disappointments.

Embarrassment, followed by anger, surfaces with a loss of personal credibility. This happened to Jonah at Nineveh, so he withdrew to pout and sulk. He was obsessed with God’s being judgmental and punishing, and when God failed to meet his expectations, he was consumed with anger.

Jonah learned an important lesson at Nineveh. God is forgiving and merciful and changes his mind when people’s attitudes and behaviors turn to righteousness by discarding evil. 

The people of Nineveh turned from evil that was leading to destruction and turned to God with confession and repentance. You can follow their lead. 

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So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it – your faith is more precious to God than mere gold… 

~1 Peter 1:6-7 The Living Bible 

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