Do You Do Well To Be Angry?
I was angry yesterday.
I went to the doctor and found out that I may have cancer again. I found out that I will likely have to do chemotherapy again. I am scheduled for another PET scan on Thursday with ensuing results on Friday. I will know more then.
But yesterday, I was angry. Check out what I read yesterday from the story of Jonah.
Jonah 4:4 — And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”
Jonah was angry with God because He forgave the city of Ninevah and did not destroy them. The story of Jonah continues with God appointing a plant to provide shade for Jonah. Then God appoints a worm to destroy the plant and God appoints a wind to bring scorching heat. Jonah is again angry — this time he is angry about the plant.
Jonah 4:9-11 — But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”
This is exactly what God is telling me right now. Do I do well to be angry? I pity my body and yet I am missing the bigger picture. I know the answer: I do NOT do well to be angry. I do well to TRUST God — which means leaning on Him as being in control and not worrying about my situation.
May we trust God more and worry less.
Hey man. I’m sorry to hear you need more chemo. You’ll get through this again. Prayin for you buddy.
Haven’t checked your posts in awhile…..glad I did this morning. Will be praying for you this week. Thank you for the reminder abt Jonah.
“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”~Psalm 112:7
Z – it hurts my heart to hear that you’re having to face this struggle again. You are so strong and brave, and our love-filled thoughts are always with you.
Thank you, Son!
Anger or Trust. Pretty clear, huh?
Zac,
Anger? Well, my friend, you are human and not flawless. I understand that anger and God does too. I think that it is a vital part of our ultimate healing. For when we face that anger and
work our way through it…it breaks us again and leads us right back to God. For there is nothing to do with anger but despise it and rid ourselves of it…..and when we do, we are broken and reminded that only God can ultimately heal us, whether it is spiritually or physically.
You are such an example to me and I am sure many others, too. In very different circumstances, I can relate so much to your struggles. And I don’t have any answers for you. But I DO know this…..no one and nothing else can calm my fears, ease my pain or give me hope for what lies ahead except God. I rejoice in His sovereignty and trust that He has chosen this path for me in order to bring Him glory. I see His glory in your life and I am grateful! I am praying daily for healing, understanding, peace and comfort for you every day, Zac.
Sorry to hear this, Zac. My heart is completely saddened. I will continue to pray for you and your family. I love you, primo. oj
I am praying for you. The devil is a liar, its what he is best at.
John 10:10
So sorry to hear this. We will be praying for you!
Zac,
I am reallly sorry about the chemo. I really want to thank you today for sharing your feelings of anger, because I’m angry about some “stuff” in my life and it’s great to know that others get mad, too.
I’m holding on to Psalm 120 “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.” I must admit that I haven’t heard God’s answer yet. I am waiting. I want you to know that I have prayed for you daily since you spoke to us in Flagstaff and I want to thank you for being an inspiration.
Thank you all for your prayers! Keep it up.
Hi Zac, I realize this is not the news you wanted to hear. God is still in charge of all the details. The analogy with prophet Jonah is very good. NO, it is not the proper attitude to be angry. Trust is the only solution, trust in the all-knowing, all-caring, all-sufficient God of the universe. He has a lot of things going on and yet He cares for Zac, and Mandy and children. Look up, not around. Praying in Tennessee.
Zac, you’re a man of faith! We will trust God together with you and pray for you and your family. Love you much! Ken Adrian
Hey Zac,
We’ve never met, but I have been praying for you and your family ever since we got the news of your cancer last May. Life is definitely a roller coaster of emotions! We wept for joy when your Dad told us that you were cancer free, and I am deeply saddened to hear of this latest setback.
At times like these every explanation or word of comfort seems so empty! So I just want you to know that we will not fail to pray for you and your family…more than one Bible character got angry, even at God! The cool thing is that He can handle it and still love us and console us. I’m not as concerned about the people who get angry as I am about those who stuff it!
Thanks for that challenge, Zac. The Lord is already using you to be an inspiration to others with this trial. We love you and continue to pray for you and family.
Z – praying for you (covering the middle of the night…) Trusting God too. Love you.
Zac, we are in prayer.
What peace it is when God speaks to us with his word. Jonah was anger but look how God used him. We are praying for you and your family.
Stay strong cousin, praying for you and trusting in that ‘peace that surpasses all understanding’.
Love,
Randall
HAY ZAC.
I PRAYING FOR YOU.
recuerda que despúes de la tormenta siempre viene la calma. La confianza puesta en Dios es la única forma de creer que Dios si cumple promesas, sana enfermedades, pero sobre todas las cosas. CADA UNO DE SUS HIJOS SOMOS BARRO Y EL NUESTRO ALFARERO, Y CUANDO NUESTRO ALFARERO NOS MOLDEA DUELE UN POCO, PERO AL FINAL SEREMOS UNAS VASIJAS DE HONRA.
TE QUIERO MUCHO.
ANIMO ZAC.
Estimado Zac
Estamos orando mucho por ti…Que Nuestro Dios siga bendiciendo tu vida.
Un abrazo
Xavier,Sofy,Sharon y Mika