When Anger gets the Best of You

“Have you any right to be angary?”

Jonah 4:4

I met a man from Mosul, Kurdistan, an elegant godly man. That’s when Nineveh and the story of Jonah and the whale became real to me. Mosul is the modern-day city of Nineveh. The gentleman grew up there and told me Jonah’s Tomb was located there, though recently desecrated. Some believe the story of Jonah and the giant fish is a fictional short story. Jesus, though, referenced Jonah and his experience in the fish’s belly in Matthew 12:39-40 and Luke 11:29-32. If Jesus spoke of it as a real-life experience, then that’s the way I read it too. If you haven’t read this short account of a ‘prophet with a feisty temperament,’ do so. A lot happens in forty-one short verses. You’ll also want to linger over Jonah’s prayer from within the fish. 

It’s easy to locate many take-aways from this short book, but the one that convicts me is how similar my heart’s attitude is to Jonah’s when it comes to wishing evil upon those whom I consider to be enemies of my country, my home or my family rather than rejoicing over God’s gracious patience extended to them. 

Here’s Jonah’s experience: After Jonah spends three days walking through Nineveh proclaiming God’s judgement for their wicked and violent ways, the people repented. God did not bring destruction because of His compassion. As a result, Jonah became angry and pouted (Jonah chapter 4). I love how God not only displayed His compassion for the residents of Ninevah but also for Jonah’s wayward attitude. God Himself takes time to engage Jonah’s insolence by asking Him this question twice, “Have you any right to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4, 9). I have to smile when Jonah answers, “Yes!” He even adds, “I am angry enough to die” (Jonah 4:9).

I’ve felt that much anger before, have you? If God can guide Jonah to an emotional resolution, He can do the same for me—and also for you! Next time we fall into that awful emotion, let’s not sit down and pout like Jonah but go immediately to the One who can bring our heart to the place it needs to be.

Thank you, Father, that you are not only a God who hates evil, but also One of compassion toward those who repent. Thank you for being willing to demonstrate that quality when You see I need it most. Amen

Linda Les-