All of us, I suppose, have seen a pouting child. Arms crossed, lips pursed, intense eyes, incensed over some perceived personal injustice. It is a comical yet tragic picture of our stubborn, self-centered nature. I am often amused at social science theories that proclaim children are born sweet and good and innocent when they come into the world screaming for attention! No, you do not need to teach a child how to be selfish, rebellious, and disobedient. A parent’s task, over time, is to help them understand that the world does not revolve around them and their needs – apologies to all new parents and grandparents – your child is adorable but broken. But I digress – perhaps another days writing.

Chapter 4 of Jonah is full of insights into the nature of man and of God. After Jonah has his little temper tantrum in 1-3 (still attempting to rationalize his behavior and thinking) the text says, “Then Jonah went out from the city to pout” (Larry Elliott revision)

Scripture often gives us glimpses of the very human side of the prophets: Moses declaring his inadequacies to God, Elijah in deep depression as God cares for him in the wilderness, Jeremiah weeping over Jerusalem, to name a few. But Jonah seems to be defying God from the very opening verses! “But Jonah…”

Can’t you just see him sitting outside the city, glaring over the expanse, and steaming because God had not done what he wanted done? Arms crossed, lips pursed, intense eyes, incensed over God’s obvious miscalculation of the situation!! What a horrible missionary! Aren’t missionaries supposed to rejoice at people turning to God from their selfish, broken, pagan pursuits? Aren’t missionaries quick to glorify God when they see His miraculous works in the hearts of others? Aren’t missionaries energized to continue God’s good work when they see the fruit of their labor? “But Jonah…”

I think we are challenged to see ourselves in this picture. How often am I upset with God because things did not go as I had planned? That relationship didn’t work out, I got rejected by the school I hoped to attend, my boss is such a jerk, my son or daughter struggles in school while my friends kids cruise, I have had nothing but trouble with this miserable car… And the Lord said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”

Did you notice the incredible grace and patience God demonstrates toward Jonah? And, by the way, we do not know if Jonah ever got his attitude straightened out. The story ends abruptly with no closure in that regard. We do know that God was acting in compassion toward tens of thousands of lost people despite Jonah’s pouting.

I am a planner. I weigh options and lay out the plan and I do not plan in pencil – I expect things to go as planned. I have so many examples of where God adjusted my plans and, in my frustration, He meticulously, graciously orchestrated His profoundly better plan.

Let’s leave the pouting to the children. Use, to be sure, as a time to be compassionate and instructive in their lives as God did with His pouting prophet. If we are prone to adult, sophisticated pouting, let us remember who has the best plan!

I would close with what may well be the most positive, instructional, and practical segment of scripture ever penned, “…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:6-8)