Brokenness - The Protest, Part 6

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.’ But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” Jonah 1:1-3

Failure to see God at work in the circumstances that accompany brokenness can result in several self-defeating responses. Many people become bitter. Emotionally, they internalize their distress, leading to a critical and complaining spirit. Spiritually, they are turned off to God, disinterested in His Word, the church, or His people. Others explode or simmer in anger. They are disturbed that God has allowed such difficulty. They grow hostile to any mention of His name.

Some try to escape their situations. They either ignore the problem, hoping it will go away, or turn to escapist elements - drugs, immorality, fanaticism. Still others seek to manipulate their environment, hoping their cleverness can eventually solve the problem. Unfortunately, none of the above are avenues that embrace the solution God offers - entrusting ourselves and our problems to Him, depending wholly on His help and grace.

Can you identify with any of these reactions to brokenness? If so, ask God to forgive you and look anew and afresh to Him. A surrendered heart is the beginning of a new outlook based on God’s encouraging perspective.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5