Thank you ladies, I know your prayers worked. I talked to my husband about my feelings which was so helpful. It reminded me of how much my mindset has changed since I have moved toward a more Christ centered life. I just need to keep pushing through and share my feelings with others and not let them sit on my chest.
If anyone sees this, I could use some prayers and advice. I have been reading the bible daily and trying to make God the center of my life for about three years now. I grew up in a faith community but never bought into it. As a adult, I decided that I wanted to try Christianity again and learn more. Sometimes I really think I “get it” and others I am left feeling so frustrated and upset wondering if what I’m even putting all of this time into is real. I have prayed “lord help my unbelief” so many times it almost seems to have lost its meaning. I’m going around in circles. Thanks for your prayers ladies.
Stephanie, I’m praying for you! God is certainly real, and He will help you through this. Don’t give up your faith! Pray constantly whenever you have feelings of doubt. You don’t have to hide or filter your frustration from God. Put it in His hands! Ask Him why, ask Him about things you don’t understand, ask Him to help you in times of need. Just draw near to Him no matter how you feel. He will bring you through! ❤️
Just skimming a commentary on Jonah and this stuck out to me regarding Jonah’s second prayer (when he is upset with the Lord):
“He prayed unto the Lord, but it is a very awkward prayer, not like that which he prayed in the fish’s belly; for affliction teaches us to pray submissively, which Jonah now forgot to do. Being in discontent, he applied to the duty of prayer, as he used to do in his troubles, but his corruptions got head of his graces, and, when he should have been praying for benefit by the mercy of God himself, he was complaining of the benefit others had by that mercy. Nothing could be spoken more unbecomingly.” (http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/jonah/4.html)
Oh Jonah. YOU ARE ALL OF US. I’m an emotional person and I read Jonah a few years ago thinking “I’m nothing like Jonah.” Oh how wrong I was. I love this book so much because Jonah is up and down and back and forth and all over the map. And yet…God uses him mightily and this story is included in the Bible for a reason. The contrast between Jonah’s two prayers is a template for me to search my heart in the midst of my own prayers. Do I pray like Jonah in the belly? Or do I pray like the angry sulky Jonah? So much to learn from Jonah.
Why do you think he was so upset witnessing God’s mercy on the Ninevites? Because he was a man of justice? Was there a personal grudge against them, like “they’re not getting what they deserve!”
I’m wondering if Jonah is so upset because if God relents and doesn’t destroy Ninevah, which it appears Jonah thinks might happen bc he knows God is merciful (acc to 4:2) then Jonah will look like a fool… like a God follower freak who thinks he’s bringing a true message but who is crazy. In fact, many of the naysayers in Ninevah might say “That guys an idiot, God didn’t do anything to us… Never will, never would bc He doesn’t exist. In fact, that God of his is for weaklings.” So maybe, just maybe Jonah is thinking that he would rather not look like a foolish God fearing man? Is he angry for self preservation? Is this what “being ashamed of the gospel” might look like today?
I loved Jonah 1, Jonah ran away, God gave him a task to do and he messed up he didn’t want to do it so he ran away and got on a boat where he met those sailors. On that boat the sailors witnessed God and got saved. God used Jonah’s mistakes to save even more people. I love how that translates into our lives today although we make mistakes we can rest assured that God can still use us and his power is made perfect in our weakness!
I really loved Acts today! Can you imagine that you’re in jail, in shackles and all of the sudden, your chains are broken and you have a way to get out?? The jailor wakes up and thinks everyone has escaped and do you see the mercy of Paul? “Do not harm yourself- we are ALL here.” Isnt that a miracle? If even ONE of those prisoners had taken the opportunity to leave, that man would have been killed but by a miracle they all stayed. Every one of them. Even though they could have easily run. And why would they care what happened to the jailor? But instead they were all there AND Paul reassures him, essentially saving his life. Then, through Paul, Christ saves his immortal one. I just think that’s a beautiful story and one that shows why it’s important to stay in communion with God. If they had just ran out when the jail opened, that man and his family might never have been saved but instead, despite the seemingly better circumstance (to escape) they stay and share. I hope I’m making sense here but that’s just amazing!
My husband preached on Jonah a few months back from the aspect of the sailors and the Ninevites. Both groups cried out and repented to God. However, the Hebrew word for “God” is different for both. The sailors cried out to the word that is always translated “Yahweh” and the people of Nineveh cried out using a word translated as Lord. He compared it to calling out to “big G” God versus a “little G” God. The sailors were truly repentant and even offered heartfelt sacrifices. The people of Nineveh were repenting out of fear and not from a changed heart. Their outward appearance of repentance was only for show. Nineveh wasn’t truly repentant and eventually resorted back to their old ways and were destroyed. I desire to be like one of the sailors and have a truly repentant attitude.
I find that so interesting Steph because doesn’t it say that God saw they were repentant and had mercy? Maybe they failed again over time but I think they were truly repentant then at least. Otherwise it wouldn’t have mattered to God. Maybe? Just my thoughts
Thank you ladies, I know your prayers worked. I talked to my husband about my feelings which was so helpful. It reminded me of how much my mindset has changed since I have moved toward a more Christ centered life. I just need to keep pushing through and share my feelings with others and not let them sit on my chest.
Stephanie I am praying that God will show Himself to you in very specific, personal ways today. He made you, He loves you, He sees you, He knows you.
Stephanie I too am in prayer for you. When you are discouraged just cry out to Jesus
If anyone sees this, I could use some prayers and advice. I have been reading the bible daily and trying to make God the center of my life for about three years now. I grew up in a faith community but never bought into it. As a adult, I decided that I wanted to try Christianity again and learn more. Sometimes I really think I “get it” and others I am left feeling so frustrated and upset wondering if what I’m even putting all of this time into is real. I have prayed “lord help my unbelief” so many times it almost seems to have lost its meaning. I’m going around in circles. Thanks for your prayers ladies.
Stephanie, I’m praying for you! God is certainly real, and He will help you through this. Don’t give up your faith! Pray constantly whenever you have feelings of doubt. You don’t have to hide or filter your frustration from God. Put it in His hands! Ask Him why, ask Him about things you don’t understand, ask Him to help you in times of need. Just draw near to Him no matter how you feel. He will bring you through! ❤️
Do you guys think Jonah ends not after Gods own heart? he seems to have resentment… or am i reading it wrong?
Just skimming a commentary on Jonah and this stuck out to me regarding Jonah’s second prayer (when he is upset with the Lord):
“He prayed unto the Lord, but it is a very awkward prayer, not like that which he prayed in the fish’s belly; for affliction teaches us to pray submissively, which Jonah now forgot to do. Being in discontent, he applied to the duty of prayer, as he used to do in his troubles, but his corruptions got head of his graces, and, when he should have been praying for benefit by the mercy of God himself, he was complaining of the benefit others had by that mercy. Nothing could be spoken more unbecomingly.” (http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/jonah/4.html)
Oh Jonah. YOU ARE ALL OF US. I’m an emotional person and I read Jonah a few years ago thinking “I’m nothing like Jonah.” Oh how wrong I was. I love this book so much because Jonah is up and down and back and forth and all over the map. And yet…God uses him mightily and this story is included in the Bible for a reason. The contrast between Jonah’s two prayers is a template for me to search my heart in the midst of my own prayers. Do I pray like Jonah in the belly? Or do I pray like the angry sulky Jonah? So much to learn from Jonah.
Wow. This is good stuff. Thanks so much for taking the time to share it!
Why do you think he was so upset witnessing God’s mercy on the Ninevites? Because he was a man of justice? Was there a personal grudge against them, like “they’re not getting what they deserve!”
I’m wondering if Jonah is so upset because if God relents and doesn’t destroy Ninevah, which it appears Jonah thinks might happen bc he knows God is merciful (acc to 4:2) then Jonah will look like a fool… like a God follower freak who thinks he’s bringing a true message but who is crazy. In fact, many of the naysayers in Ninevah might say “That guys an idiot, God didn’t do anything to us… Never will, never would bc He doesn’t exist. In fact, that God of his is for weaklings.” So maybe, just maybe Jonah is thinking that he would rather not look like a foolish God fearing man? Is he angry for self preservation? Is this what “being ashamed of the gospel” might look like today?
I loved Jonah 1, Jonah ran away, God gave him a task to do and he messed up he didn’t want to do it so he ran away and got on a boat where he met those sailors. On that boat the sailors witnessed God and got saved. God used Jonah’s mistakes to save even more people. I love how that translates into our lives today although we make mistakes we can rest assured that God can still use us and his power is made perfect in our weakness!
I love this. What an encouragement!
Yes!! SO good!!
I really loved Acts today! Can you imagine that you’re in jail, in shackles and all of the sudden, your chains are broken and you have a way to get out?? The jailor wakes up and thinks everyone has escaped and do you see the mercy of Paul? “Do not harm yourself- we are ALL here.” Isnt that a miracle? If even ONE of those prisoners had taken the opportunity to leave, that man would have been killed but by a miracle they all stayed. Every one of them. Even though they could have easily run. And why would they care what happened to the jailor? But instead they were all there AND Paul reassures him, essentially saving his life. Then, through Paul, Christ saves his immortal one. I just think that’s a beautiful story and one that shows why it’s important to stay in communion with God. If they had just ran out when the jail opened, that man and his family might never have been saved but instead, despite the seemingly better circumstance (to escape) they stay and share. I hope I’m making sense here but that’s just amazing!
I totally agree! This story has been one of my favorites ever since I read it for the first time- Paul’s grace is amazing to me
My husband preached on Jonah a few months back from the aspect of the sailors and the Ninevites. Both groups cried out and repented to God. However, the Hebrew word for “God” is different for both. The sailors cried out to the word that is always translated “Yahweh” and the people of Nineveh cried out using a word translated as Lord. He compared it to calling out to “big G” God versus a “little G” God. The sailors were truly repentant and even offered heartfelt sacrifices. The people of Nineveh were repenting out of fear and not from a changed heart. Their outward appearance of repentance was only for show. Nineveh wasn’t truly repentant and eventually resorted back to their old ways and were destroyed. I desire to be like one of the sailors and have a truly repentant attitude.
I find that so interesting Steph because doesn’t it say that God saw they were repentant and had mercy? Maybe they failed again over time but I think they were truly repentant then at least. Otherwise it wouldn’t have mattered to God. Maybe? Just my thoughts
I agree. After all, God looks at the heart.