What Makes Responding to God's Call So Difficult?

Jonah’s reluctance to take God’s message to the people of Nineveh made it impossible for him to receive the joy God wanted to give him. The effort Jonah expended trying to escape God’s call far exceeded what was necessary for declining God’s invitation to serve him.

Completely surrendering to God’s call requires commitment. I’m not referring to one particular thing God has called you to do, but holding on to a faulty belief system restricts God’s purpose for you. Jonah mistakenly believed the people of Nineveh were not worth saving and refused to change his mind.

Jonah refused to believe God’s love was available to all people. Jesus came to be Lord and Savior to everyone who would receive him, which is difficult for some people to accept.

Joyfully give your heart to God so you will be receptive to what Jonah missed – a heartfelt love for all of God’s people – and that’s a precious blessing.

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

~Hebrews 12:1 New International Version 

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Can God's Calling Become Distorted?

I’ve always been impressed with Jonah, the Old Testament prophet who refused to go to Nineveh to preach God’s message of salvation. Jonah refused God’s call because he felt ambivalent about what would happen to him if he failed or was successful.

By reading the book, it appeared that Jonah never accepted that God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness were unrestricted and open to all who believed and repented. Cautious optimism for God loving the people of Nineveh was challenging for Jonah.

Sometimes a reality check is necessary to determine if cautious optimism distorts your thoughts and feelings which then prevents you from being accountable for what you could be or do for God. As you think about the Lord Jesus Christ being Savior for all people, rid yourself of any distortions of clarity.

Then you will be joyful in your heart and soul by being able to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord God.

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Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

~James 1:4 New International Version 

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.