Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
As we go through life, I don’t know anyone who wants to be around people that are mean, grumpy, and rude. I think it safe to say this is true throughout the world. Instead, we prefer people who are kind, patient, gentle, loving, and joyful. These are just some of the fruits of the Spirit Paul talks about in his letter to the Galatians.
In the book of Jonah, we see the kindness of God as the Lord sends the prophet of Jonah to the people of Nineveh. Jonah is to tell them to turn from their sins and turn to God. God, in His kindness, wants to rescue the people of Nineveh from their sins.
When Jonah is called by God to go and preach to this great city, he decides to get on a boat that is headed for Spain. That was about as far as Jonah could get in the known world away from where he was to go.
God, in His kindness, sends a great storm to get Jonah’s attention. Because God is kind, he wanted Jonah to rethink his assignment. The sailors cast lots to see who the cause of the storm was, and the lot came to Jonah. They already knew Jonah was running from God because he told them earlier. Jonah told them to throw him in the sea and it would be calm. The sailors still tried to row back to land, but the storm was too great. As a last resort they threw Jonah into the sea and the storm stopped.
God, in His kindness, sent a great fish to swallow Jonah. While Jonah was in a time out for three days and three nights in the fish, he came to his senses. He prayed to God, thanking Him for hearing and sparing his life. Sometime after his prayer the fish vomited Jonah up on shore.
Would you like to be a kinder person? I think we all do, but how? The answer is to pray and ask God, and you will be amazed what happens. Not overnight, but in time. Ask God to help you to have a desire to read His word. Something happens when we spend time with God. His kindness begins to change our heart.
Listen to learn more about Jonah: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-jonah-1/jonah-repents