Have you ever been really angry with God? Many of us have.

When the Old Testament prophet Jonah delivered God’s warning to the city of Nineveh, it was only after being persuaded by an unwilling ride in the belly of a fish. When the people of Nineveh heeded Jonah’s warning and repented, God didn’t destroy them and it made Jonah so angry that he told God, “Take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

I’m afraid Jonah was behaving like an arrogant brat. His attitude was, “If things don’t go my way, I'd rather be dead.”

But, we’re not so different. We want God to do things our way. And when God doesn’t comply, we’re angry.

I wish I could tell you that Jonah started behaving with greater faith and maturity, but he didn’t. After delivering his message he went outside of Nineveh and sat in the desert to get a view of the action. He was still hoping that the people wouldn’t repent and God would blow them away. As he sat there, a Jack-in-the-beanstalk type plant grew up, giving him a few hours of shade. Then God sent a worm that ate the beanstalk and it died, making Jonah even madder. He was upset because his shade-plant died but he didn't care if a whole city were destroyed.

Don’t let your story end like Jonah’s. If you are running away from God’s will, tell God you are sorry and let yourself be controlled by God’s love. It will save a lot of trouble!