Jonah is always a good mirror. I am ever grateful how slow my Lord is to anger. If He behaved as I too often have, I would have been destroyed long ago. His patience has more and more taken over my impatience.
Jonah's anger always puzzled me. Can you imagine a more contemporary evangelist preaching to thousands and becoming angry when many repent and are saved? Definitely had some heart issues. We should take heed.
I sometimes struggle with selfish pride, which manifests itself as anger. I’m praying for a more humble heart, and to be less “sensitive” to perceived offenses. Definitely a work in progress.
The Jonah story also reminds me that if we’re not careful, we can get off track after a “big win” like the repentance of Nineveh. I’m sure Jonah was exhausted after all that got him to Nineveh, let alone the emotional price tag of a “preaching tour,” and he let his guard down, opening the door to pride and anger…
Thanks for the comment’s Chuck, I have to also check myself and ask the Lord for help. In reviewing and posting the story of Jonah I didn’t realize how exhausted he must of been physically and that probably came out through his anger. Thanks for sharing and connecting.
One of my undergrad professors asked me to study anger in Romans. I learned a ton doing the research regarding God's (holy) wrath versus the uncontrolled anger within man. It's worth a look. Thank you for the reminder!
Thank you Mike. That is a good exercise to compare the topic of anger and wrath and Romans is an excellent reference. I love Romans. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Anger is a God-given desire for justice and a good thing. It is one of the communicable attributes of God. But it easily is pursued by the flesh. Justice is redefined as personal vengeance. Or, as in Jonah's case, by assuming we know justice better than God does.
Thanks for Jerry for that perspective. Not all anger is bad and my own sense of justice is usually not aligned with how the Lord works. Thank you brother.
I love the story of Jonah and how Gods love is beyond all understanding. God’s peace to you.
Jonah is always a good mirror. I am ever grateful how slow my Lord is to anger. If He behaved as I too often have, I would have been destroyed long ago. His patience has more and more taken over my impatience.
Amen Todd. Thankful for His patience with us, and His compassion. Thank you for your comments and perspective.
Jonah's anger always puzzled me. Can you imagine a more contemporary evangelist preaching to thousands and becoming angry when many repent and are saved? Definitely had some heart issues. We should take heed.
Ironic how God being slow to anger led Jonah quickly to anger.
Interesting connection for sure. Maybe it was for Jonah to help him see God more clearly.
I sometimes struggle with selfish pride, which manifests itself as anger. I’m praying for a more humble heart, and to be less “sensitive” to perceived offenses. Definitely a work in progress.
The Jonah story also reminds me that if we’re not careful, we can get off track after a “big win” like the repentance of Nineveh. I’m sure Jonah was exhausted after all that got him to Nineveh, let alone the emotional price tag of a “preaching tour,” and he let his guard down, opening the door to pride and anger…
Thanks for the comment’s Chuck, I have to also check myself and ask the Lord for help. In reviewing and posting the story of Jonah I didn’t realize how exhausted he must of been physically and that probably came out through his anger. Thanks for sharing and connecting.
One of my undergrad professors asked me to study anger in Romans. I learned a ton doing the research regarding God's (holy) wrath versus the uncontrolled anger within man. It's worth a look. Thank you for the reminder!
Thank you Mike. That is a good exercise to compare the topic of anger and wrath and Romans is an excellent reference. I love Romans. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1
Anger is a God-given desire for justice and a good thing. It is one of the communicable attributes of God. But it easily is pursued by the flesh. Justice is redefined as personal vengeance. Or, as in Jonah's case, by assuming we know justice better than God does.
Thanks for Jerry for that perspective. Not all anger is bad and my own sense of justice is usually not aligned with how the Lord works. Thank you brother.