Key Scriptures: Jonah 4:1-4
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the LORD, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?”
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What do we do when we’re angry or disappointed with God?:
Lesson One: Pray it through.
• In the midst of anger and disappointment, we need to continue to communicate with God
Jonah 4:2, He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
Psalm 44:21, …would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?
Exodus 5:22-23, Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”
Jeremiah 20:14-18, Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me not be blessed. Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, who made him very glad, saying, “A child is born to you—a son!” May that man be like the towns the Lord overthrew without pity. May he hear wailing in the morning, a battle cry at noon. For he did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave, her womb enlarged forever. Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?
Genesis 15:2-3, But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”
Psalm 77:7-9, Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?
Job 10:1, I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. My bitter soul must complain.
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Lesson Two: Think it through.
• We often become disappointed or angry with God due to unmet expectations. Upon further reflection, we discover that we are clinging to a promise that God never made to us.
Isaiah 55:8-9, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Jonah 4:4, Have you any right to be angry?
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We need to lay claim to the promises of God in scripture
Joshua 23:14, You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.
Isaiah 43:2, “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Psalm 9:9-10, The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 138:7, Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
Matthew 28:19-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 34:4–5, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”
Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 46:1–3, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Isaiah 41:13, “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Psalm 91:4–5, “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”
Genesis 50:21, ‘So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Thus he (Joseph) comforted them and spoke kindly to them.’
Deuteronomy 3:22, “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.”
Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Philippians 4:19, And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:31-33, So do not worry, saying, ‘what shall we eat?’ or ‘what shall we drink?’ or ‘what shall we wear?’…but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
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Lesson Three: Talk it through.
• God has given us the community of faith to bear one another’s burdens, share like experiences, encourage and guide one another
Proverbs 27:17, Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
1 Corinthians 14:26, When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Galatians 6:2, Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Acts 2:42, And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.