God used a man named Jonah to teach us to trust Him during difficult trials on our life. Through Jonah we learn to grow, even when our circumstances don't seem optimal. Jonah found himself in a situation that did not make him happy. God gave Jonah direct orders to go into the city of Nineveh and preach. Nineveh was a horribly wicked city, and Jonah just didn't want to go. So he hopped on a ship to run away.
In a nutshell, God got upset with Jonah and caused a violent storm. Jonah's shipmates got scared and threw him overboard. A big fish swallowed him and he lived in the belly of the fish for three days. What a disgusting turn of events!
I bet at one time or another, we've all run when we should have boldly accepted an assignment from God. It says in Jonah 1:17, "Now God provided (emphasis mine) a huge fish to swallow Jonah..." When I hear the word "provided" I think solution. Provided means the matter is settled and everything turned out fine. I'm sorry, but if I was in the belly of a fish, it would not be fine with me!
Here's where I went wrong. I was focusing on the fish when I should have been focusing on the provision. I'm pretty certain I'm not going to get swallowed by a fish, but the chances of experiencing a storm in my life are definite. I need to remember no matter how high the waves or how strong the wind, God will provide just what I need to calm the storm in my life.
Take a minute to look back over your life and recall all God has done for you. Think about all the times He provided for you when you couldn't find a solution to your problems. Hopefully you weren't in the actual belly of a fish, but I'm certain God placed you in the perfect spot to help you grow. Even if it sounds crazy, share your story. You never know how God may use your words to bring healing and hope to another. And that's a fish story worth telling!
No comments:
Post a Comment