Upcoming on my "The Bad, & The Ugly: Fears & Failures" Devotional Blog Series:
** Fear is a gateway to self-doubt **
- Jonah and The Whale
- What Can We Learn From Jonah
- Light Conquers Darkness
Jonah and The Whale
Then they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. The men feared the Lord even more, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. Now the Lord had appointed a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:15-17
Devotional
Jonah was afraid so he fled the Lord's presence. The Lord was calling yet he hid. But just like Jonah, we can't hide from God. We can't hide from fear. Jonah was thrown into total darkness which symbolizes how in an instant our world can go from light to dark. Has God ever done that in your life? Thrown into sudden darkness and all you have now is space to face your fear, the one you were running from. Much like Jonah was running from his calling from the Lord, we run from our fears. Storms bring rainbows of God's promises, so why are we running away? Storms are a season of waiting as Jonah waited in the whale to release him. Are you waiting?
Jonah was thrown into total darkness which symbolizes how our fear turns our world from light to dark in an instant. But we don’t have to be afraid of the dark because we have the best light - Our God.
You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. - Matthew 5:14
He is the light, love, and hope in our life even in our lowest moments. He is there for us even when we are stuck in the belly of a whale even though He put us there. Yes, God puts us in storms because He knows the outcome. The situation may take a toll on you, but He has a purpose for teaching you these difficult lessons in that environment.
He is there even where we are stuck in the belly of the whale. - Jonah 1. This symbolizes a season of waiting and fear in the darkest moments. We feel like He is gone, but He is still there with a purpose!
My Story Tie- In
A season of waiting can feel like total darkness, that is where I am in my life. I have always felt like I am waiting for something. Whether it is something good or bad, I am left waiting for something to happen in my life. I dislike this feeling because I feel like I am Jonah, stuck in a whale, and surrounded by total darkness. As if no matter where I turn, I can’t find the light. I can’t escape the pain keeping me from moving forward. The waiting period is actually full of lessons, ones we may need when we get everything we have been praying for. God isn’t punishing you by making you wait, He is teaching you patience. Be still and listen to God.
Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers his way, by the man who carries out evil plans. - Exodus 14:14
Storms bring rainbows of God's promises.
Activity:
When have you felt like you were in the middle of the storm and how did you see/feel God work in you?
Are you in a season of waiting? How does it make you feel?
Ask God to guide you to the light and bring you patience to wait on Him.
My Answers:
Honestly, I am in the middle of the storm right now. Somedays, I can say I feel God moving and other days I feel so out of it. As if nothing is ever going to get better. I know it will, but I am so deep into my storm all I can see is the bad. Slowly I am making my way out of it and God is still working. He is showing me once again that it is okay to feel lost, and that I won't be lost forever. Meaning He knows I have trouble coming to Him when I am worried and stressed, but He reminds me that He already knows and He wants to ease all the worries and stress bringing me down. He wants to lift me up.
I feel like I am always in some kind of season of waiting. I feel like that is all of it. As humans, we are all waiting on something - that job, a spouse, kids, and so on. It makes me feel behind at times and I start to compare myself to others when my journey isn't theirs and theirs isn't mine. We all learn different things in our waiting seasons and that's okay.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord. - Ps. 27:14
My Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for bringing us out of our hard times and creating such beautiful outcomes from them. You give us more than we deserve. You bring sunshine to our rainy days as you guide us through the storms of life. You bring hope and you make a way when we think there isn't one. Thank you for loving us so we can love you.
Amen.
Even When You’re Running - Casting Crowns
Your fear isn’t dark enough
Your pit isn’t deep enough
Your lie isn’t loud enough
To keep Him away from you
Listen to the Fears & Failures Playlist: Here.
Scriptures: Jonah 1, [God is Light] John 8:12; 9:5, Matthew 5:14, 1 John 1:5, [Be Still & Listen to God] James 1:19, Psalms 46:10;37:7, Exodus 14:14, [Wait] Psalms 27:14.