But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” Jonah 4:9

Does God ask you questions? Over the past few years I’ve been learning to listen more intently to the voice of God. One of the more surprising things is that I feel like God often asks me questions. Jonah’s story is no different. Aside from his command to preach to the Ninevites, God’s primary interaction with Jonah is that of questioning. What about you? How would you answer God’s questions to Jonah?

Take a moment to think of a situation that frustrates you or makes you angry. Once you arrive at that, attempt to answer the questions that God asks Jonah.

  1. Do you do well to be angry? In other words, how is that working for you? Does it help to be angry?
  2. God says, “Should I not grieve _______?” It might help to focus this question to your source of anger. For example, is God wrong for not taking away your source of anger?
  3. How might God be inviting you to grow in empathy? If you are angry at someone, ask God to teach you to have the same empathy that he has for them.

As you go through this process, how do you feel? Does your heart find more relief from an honest dealing with anger? Do you sense your attitude about the situation softening in your heart? If not, ask God why? Ask him to reveal what else might be going on inside of you. If you find your heart softening, meditate on that fact for a few minutes. Let the truth solidify in you that letting go of anger feels healthier for your heart then clinging to it. Now, enjoy the increased freedom of walking through your day having dealt with that anger.

By Aaron Bjorklund

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