So, we have the prophet, Jonah, kicking and screaming his way to Nineveh and the “pagan” people believing his message and turning from their evil ways. The King covered with sackcloth decreed a fast for the people as well as the cattle and sheep. After God rescinds the proposed punishment, Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry (V4:1). Jonah told God exactly how he was feeling. How could God spare these pagan people?

Good for Jonah to tell God exactly how he felt. Anger is an emotion, and as such is neither good nor bad. What matters is what we do with emotion. Jonah chose to “air” it out with the Lord. Perhaps like Jonah, we feel as if God has betrayed us in some way or that he does not care about us. The truth is that God deeply loves each one of us unconditionally. This is the lesson that Jonah learned by talking to God and receiving his healing touch.