That Big, Nasty Fish

In Jonah 1:17 - 3:3a, had you ever noticed that God PREPARED the great fish to swallow Jonah? God deliberately used the fish to discipline him for his disobedience. This was a disgusting experience for Jonah. But, if it hadn’t happened he would have continued in his foolishness. Only God knows where he would have ended. Since it did happen, he acknowledged his wrongdoing, humbled himself, and repented. As a result, the fish vomited him out on dry ground and Jonah did as God had told him. So, even though that fish was nasty, it kept Jonah from drowning.

In my own life, I got pregnant at the age of eighteen. It was a bad situation because I was not ready. Yet, it forced me to acknowledge that my own bad decisions to fornicate had brought me to that point. I asked God for help and got serious about my relationship with Him. He helped me to break the destructive cycle and raise a really good son. Today, I am a very proud mother.

Maybe you’ve had, or are in, a great fish experience like divorce, foreclosure, involuntary termination, incarceration, etc. None of it is pleasant, but did you ever consider how things could have gotten worse if you continued the way you were going? Since it did happen, then be honest about it, learn from it, do better, and keep living. Those great fish are nasty, but they’ll keep you from drowning.