IN A MESS
Denise Linton
Today’s Scripture: "Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach." Jonah 2:10, NLT
Theme: God will often changes my terrible circumstances by getting me out or giving me a new, more positive perspective when I get my heart right with Him.
WE HAVE ALL BEEN THERE
When I learned the theme of the message “When You Hate Your Circumstances,” I said, “Well, God, this is one I can definitely relate to!” I am sure we can all relate to Jonah’s situation. We have all had a time or two when we were not thrilled with the circumstances in our lives. I know that for me, these circumstances came about in two ways. Either because I wanted to do things my way and not God’s way or because God knew the bigger picture and He knew what was best for me, though I didn’t see it then.
RUNNING FROM GOD
Jonah ended up in the belly of a giant fish because he did not want to follow God’s instructions and go to Nineveh. He felt like he knew better and wanted to do it his way. He messed up, and he hated his current circumstances. We don’t always like what God wants us to do, or who God is calling us to be, or even going where God wants us to go. In those times we don’t like it, or we don’t want to do it, we run in our own direction in one way or another.
It could be that God is calling you to be understanding and loving to a difficult coworker, or to forgive the person who has rejected you when you just don’t want to do it. God may be calling you to work through struggles in a marriage, and you just want to give up instead. Maybe for you, it’s making choices regarding jobs or purchases without first praying and asking God’s direction. Then, when things don’t work out the way you had hoped, you hate your circumstances. All of these are ways we run from God, like Jonah.
A CHANGE OF SCENERY
Several years ago, during the stock market crash, recession and housing crisis, my position was eliminated in a government position. I was given the choice to be laid off or take a lesser position, with less flexibility, less pay, and a lower status. I immediately said, “No thanks” and took the layoff. I did not stop to pray about this offer or give time to think things through. My plan was that I would finally be able to pursue my dream of teaching at the community college level. I applied to every community college within an hour and a half drive from my home and received the same response, “Sorry, but you have no experience.” After many months, the only job I could find was working at a gas station. I hated my circumstances.
GOD’S ASSIGNMENTS
After months of complaining to God and asking why all this happened, I gave up and started accepting the circumstances. I asked God what He wanted me to do in this situation. What was His purpose and what would glorify Him? It was then that God started giving me opportunities to introduce people to Jesus. I became excited about the many people God started to send my way who were lost and seeking. I don’t mean physically lost, I had many of those also, but I especially mean the ones who were spiritually lost. I started to see the positives of my situation and, on many days, even enjoyed the circumstances.
OUT OF THERE
After three years, I received a call from a community college asking if I was still interested in teaching as a part-time instructor. The department head told me that he had been handed my resume and application and was interested. Keep in mind that this was one of the schools that had said “No, thank you.” I had applied two years prior and not at all since. God blessed me and changed my circumstances, but only after He changed my perspective. It was not overnight, but now I have the privilege to teach over 350 students each semester and I am loving my circumstances.
Make it Personal: Think about any way that you might be running from God: you messed up and now you are hating your circumstances. The great news from Jonah’s story is that when we mess up, God does not give up on us. He does not leave us in the belly of a fish for eternity. He is waiting for us to come back to Him. How do you get out of this circumstance or at least not be at the point of hating the circumstance? You must recognize and be willing to admit what might be going on in your heart and the source of the running. Admit to God that you have tried to do things on your own. This will take prayer and quiet time. You can also lean on a trusted friend or Life Group members. Change your heart and align it with God’s, and He will give you positive perspectives--or even change the circumstances.
Pray: Father God, I am sorry for the times that I have run from You; for the times I did not want to follow Your ways, Your calling, which led to me running from You and not toward you. I confess that I have not had my heart aligned with Your plans but sought my own. Father, there are circumstances that I hate in my life. Some that have occurred due to my own decisions and others that have been placed in my life; they may have a greater good, but I can’t understand this yet. Please provide a more positive perspective or, if it is Your will, a change in circumstances. Your ways are higher than my ways, and Your thoughts are higher than mine. You see the bigger picture. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Jonah 2:10; Psalms 139:10
Weekly Memory Verse:
“Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4, NIV