Jonah: Big Fish, Bigger GodIsampula

Angry at God

A few months ago, I contacted a Christian counselor and asked, “What makes people get mad at God?” His answer? “Expectations.” People have an idea about how God should act, and when God doesn’t act like he “should,” people get mad. I think he’s right. For example, you might get mad at God when he allows more pain in your life than he “should.”

Or, like the prophet Jonah, you might get mad that God is so quick to forgive. After God’s mercy on the wicked people of Nineveh, we read, “But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry” (Jonah 4:1). Jonah was red in the face, furious because he felt it was wrong for God to forgive “those people” who had no right to grace after committing such horrific wrongs.

Imagine someone who hurt you deeply, showing up at church and sitting three rows in front of you. Imagine how you would feel, even if they were sorry for their sin, as the pastor says, “God loves you. God forgives you for everything. Because of Jesus, God isn’t thinking about your sin. He likes you!” If you saw the one who wounded you nodding, wiping away a tear, and smiling at grace, would you grimace?

The final chapter of Jonah forces us to think deeply about God’s grace toward those who have sinned against us. If they repent, do you want God to rescue them? Do you want them in heaven with you? Will it seem very wrong if they are right with God?