I’m Hooked on a Feeling (Part 3)

Jonah 4:1-11

Jonah is pouting.  He is angry at God because the fire of judgment didn’t fall. No earthquake, no invading army, no revolution, no fire from heaven.  Jonah’s anger was evidently not something that suddenly occurred. It had been building over a long period of time.  It had turned into something much worse...resentment.

How does Resentment affect our lives?

  I.     Resentment Destroys Our Peace - Jonah 4:1 

II.     Resentment Causes Whining Jonah 4:3-4 

III.     Resentment Creates Drama in Life Jonah 3:5-9 

IV.     Resentment Claims Our Focus Jonah 4:5 

V.     Resentment Drains My Strength Jonah 4:6-8

Resentment makes us vulnerable to the heat and wind of life.

Getting a good education sometimes means learning lessons
you would never choose to learn.

When you get outside of God’s will it is difficult for you to see God’s hand working in your life.

When our pleasure is more precious than God’s purpose, beware the worm!

VI.     Resentment Warps My Values  Jonah 4:9-11

God invites us to look at the world through His eyes, in light of His character, with His purposes in mind.

An altered perspective creates an adjusted assessment.

Warped values come from selfish interests.

VII.     How to Overcome Resentment

·      Identify the source of the resentful feelings.

·      Admit exactly how you feel.

·      Identify the “hot buttons.''

·      Realize that resentment is often a result of jealousy.

·      Recognize jealousy is often a byproduct of insecurity and poor self-image.

Pride is the core of resentment.

·      Develop a new way of looking at past, present and future.

·      Pray for the person you resent.

·      Fully forgive the one who hurt you.

We cannot undo the past, but we can shape the future.