OVERCOMING JONAH’S KIND OF REPUTATION

There is a popular maxim in my local parlance that goes like this “He who sells his sickness, will definitely find a cure for it” it means that knowing your problems and seeking to resolve it , is actually solving the problem in itself, and choosing to sell your sickness means that you know your exact sickness. There is a difference between knowing that you have a problem and doing nothing about it on one hand, and knowing the problem and doing something about it on the other hand.

I have met people who know that they a have problem yet they choose not to do anything about it and I have equally met people who have come to terms with the problems confronting them and then decided to do something about the problem. The latter always have the problem solved, whereas the former is continually plagued by their problems. The bibles says that “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18(KJV)

In the case of the character under discussion- Prophet Jonah, he knew that the problem that confronted the crew and the people on the ship that he boarded to Spain was caused by his disobedience to the instructions of God, so he decided to do something about it according to Jonah 1:4 -15(KJV)

“But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.

Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.”

Knowing that one has a problem and seeking to have the problem cured in itself is the greatest healing balm to the problem; when Jonah accepted that he was the cause of the storm on the ship, he made an effort that stopped the storm. Sometimes, the reason why the storm in our boat keeps lashing us is simply because we are not doing anything about it, although we know where the storm is coming from. You know very well that the problems that you are facing in your marriage is lack of submissiveness to God’s will in the marriage, yet you choose to ignore it.

You know very well that your financial challenges is caused by your stinginess; you know that fake life that you are living is because of some friends you are trying to please, yet you choose to do nothing about them. All human beings are imperfect, in other words we all have our own issues, however, seeking a cure to our imperfection before a perfect God is the  real deal here, the good book says that “ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (KJV).

In a resolve to cure the negative effect of Jonah’s kind of reputation let us look at the way to handle this challenge.

·         Seek God’s will For Your Life – He who makes an effort to know God’s will for his life is on a path of progress and blissful encounter and has totally dealt with the blocking tendencies of Jonah’s kind of reputation. In fact Jonah’s kind of reputation is the one that hinges on the will of men, not the will of God.

Jesus Christ made a very relevant point to this facts when he says “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” John 8:29 (KJV). Doing things that please God is what will release God’s aura and blessings on you. You cannot have your own plan and then go seeking God’s approval for the implementation of your plan; we are gradually trying to paints a picture as if God’s a rubber stamp, instead of a God that we must please.

We do not involve God in our plans and goals, but we only seem to run to him when we have a problem. My brethren God doesn’t work that way. Jesus Christ said that “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30 (KJV)

·         Do not bother too much about what People Say about You – After seeking God’s will pursue it with all your heart and never look back, even if it doesn’t make sense to people. I have had people look at me with a big surprise on their face when I turned back on some big opportunities, just to pursue what God has been impressing on my heart.

I heard this famous man of God say that “people can suggest to you the direction you should take in life, but once you have a definite direction on what God is leading you into, just go ahead and follow God”. One thing you and I must take cognizes of, is the fact that Satan will always test our resolve on God’s will for our lives, the bibles says that

“………………. and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness” Ephesians 6:13B -144. You must know that Satan is only interested in opposing God’s will that you are pursuing, not people’s will.

He moves about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. You and I must be encouraged about how Jesus dealt with Satan opposition to God’s will for his life in Mathew 4:8-10 (KJV)

“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

If all Satan needs to give you in order to take you out of God’s will for your life is a nice house, good paying Job with good pecks, a 4x4 car and the other add on’s then trust me Satan will easily give it to you.

So be careful when people start equating only material open doors to God’s will. No amount of Satan’s and the world’s alluring giveaways should let us turn our back on God. “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62(KJV)

·         Know That God will definitely Reward You – The Psalmist said “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25 (KJV). The truest of this scripture should always revolve our wheels of faith in the things of God. Throughout my two decades of following God, I have never seen someone who has a right standing with God, I mean a righteous person, abandoned by the good Lord.

God always comes through for his own at his own time. The fact that he will always reward our labor should keep us going. Jesus, the first and foremost example for us set the tone in Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I have personally experience the Lord and I know that He is God and his mercies endures forever.  God will let “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” Psalm 16:6(KJV). He will not only give you that but also sound sleep and sound mind to enjoy your riches.

I have to end here and continue next week, I hope you have been blessed and I pray that God grants you and I the inner fortitude to stay steadfast to what he has called us to do, even if it is not popular. God bless you for following us and reading this article. If you have any questions or comments you can leave it below, or you can also send me an email via- wisafawubo@gmail.com or send me a whatsup message on +233233868205