Jonah In The Ship

We all know the story about this popular Evangelist of God. His story have been used to teach and preach on the importance of obeying God’ instructions and call on our lives. Anytime this subject is taught, emotions are high; people tend to readjust and realign themselves in the purpose of God for their lives. But nobody has really ever seen the damage this man brought to others in their own purposes.
The presence of Jonah in that ship brought an untold losses on innocent people going about their businesses.

Jonah 1:4, “Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5:All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Many people are going through grave losses in their businesses, ministries, etc due to this Jonah factor.
“When the wrong people are around you, they influence negative occurrences.”
Wrong people does not necessarily mean evil people,  they are irrelevant people. These set of people may possess qualities that  would make you feel  importance of their presence around you is necessary . They appear very harmless, innocent, humble, etc. But the heart of a man is his judge.
Jonah was disobedient to God; which is a display of pride.
There’s false humility…
Characteristics of Jonah:
1. Disobedient/Proud : Jonah 1:3
2. Nonchalant : verse 5
3. Judgmental in his heart: chapter 3:10, 4:1
The presence of Jonah in your life can bring you heavy losses. It is important to prayerfully identify a Jonah before he boards your ship (fellowship). Because that Jonah may not be a fellow for that ship. Help him or her to board the right ship for his mission.

If you have just discovered a Jonah in your ship, prayerfully throw him overboard.
Jonah could be that man or woman in your life. You can keep the relationship, but not the fellowship. Fellowship simply means to follow the same ship in this context.

HOW TO CONQUER DEPRESSION

Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”

What is Depression?
feelings of severe despondency and dejection.
This feeling comes through external or internal words spoken to the heart of the depressed person more than what they see or experience.

When we look around these days, you see a lot of frustration in our societies. A lot of people are in the verge of breaking down mentally due to several issues. There is economic tension, marriage squabbles, health challenges, etc.
All the above mentioned issues leaves nothing to desire in life by many.

 Recently, I read a story about a man who committed suicide by jumping down from a skyscraper in Lagos. This man had lost his job through the prevailing economic tension in the country. He went into depression and thought the best way to get out of it is by killing himself. Wrong choice!

Depression is worse than insanity. I see it as a combination of insanity and frustration caused by a feeling of failure and dejection.

Since depression is caused by the frustration of not being able to fulfill a certain demand, it is important for us to understand and also know that there is nothing a man needs that can come from man. Therefore, man should never put hope in another man.

Our continuous trust in God without wavering will keep our hearts stable. Our hearts or minds are the table where everything that goes on are deliberated.

The Bible says; “ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2Tim. 1:7
Fear is the gateway to all frustration in life. It sets a man up for all manner of attacks. The Bible says; faith is a shield, a protection against the attacks of the enemy.
Faith in the Word of God is a mighty force that challenges the forces of darkness. Depression is the work of the enemy and faith in God, I mean unwavering faith in God can defile it.

The word of God cannot and does not fail. If you have anyone who is depressed, continue in a daily basis, speak the Word of God into that individual. Let him or her hear it, it will build faith in the heart of the individual.