The Jonah in Me

For a long time, I didn’t understand Jonah. Why was Jonah so cold? Why did he have such a hard time doing what the Lord told him to do? Why wouldn’t he rejoice that there was hope for the city of Nineveh? Why was he the way that he was?

I certainly wouldn’t act like Jonah…

Well… some days, not only am I just like Jonah—I’ve actually grown to appreciate him. I don’t agree with his actions. I don’t agree with the stance of his heart. But I appreciate and value the full sincerity of it.

Jonah wasn’t acting religious. He was angry. He showed his anger. He was honest. He voiced his dissent. And again, the Lord was so merciful—He was patient with Jonah, and Jonah was able to do the will of the Lord. But why did the Lord use Jonah if his heart was so emotional at the time? I think (and I could be so wrong, y’all), that even as misguided as Jonah was, he was real. The Lord can work with real.

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord…”— Jonah 4:1–2a, ESV

This past week, I have been so angry.

There have been many things that have occurred recently in my life that I am still processing—still thanking God in the midst of it all—and believing (even when I can’t always see it) that:

“…for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”— Romans 8:28, ESV

Yet in the middle of this, I had to ask the Lord: Why am I so angry? What exactly am I angry at?

One huge trigger for me is when faith becomes more about appearances than authenticity—when there’s a gap between what’s spoken and what’s lived. I’d rather be around someone who is honest about their struggles than someone who feels they have to keep up an image.

So it begs the question: as the church, what do we need more of?

We need more realness.

We need to be ourselves—not just what we think “good Christians” are supposed to act like. If you’re fiery—be fiery. If you’re hurting—let's talk about it. If you’re confused—let’s work it out together. The Lord can handle all of our emotions. We don’t have to hide them from Him or each other.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”— Psalm 145:18, ESV

This past week, our family was involved in a terrible car crash. Because the Lord is good and ALWAYS worthy to be praised, all of us made it out alive. This is no small thing. It was an ugly accident, and I think the impact collided with so much more than just our car—it tore away the thin veil between the authentic and the religious.

I saw the real church at work. Brothers and sisters showed up at the crash scene without us even asking. The love, the outpouring, the prayers, the acts of kindness—there aren’t enough words to say thank you. This is the church.

You see, we can’t show up for everyone, all the time—we are all in need in some very real way. But we can be there, truly, for someone.

If you are the one in need—please reach out. Ask for help. It’s okay not to have it all together. This past week, I’ve had to step away from serving. I am physically bruised and battered. But even more pronounced, I didn’t realize until this event that I am also bruised and battered spiritually.

I yearn for the fullness of the Lord—away from the busyness that so easily creeps in if we’re not careful. I can’t wait to be in a better place, to move at a slower pace, and to return in fullness to serve the Lord.

But I can’t get there without slowing down and recalibrating. I can’t get there without letting my closest people know how I’m hurting—without inviting my prayer sisters into my unmasked space and allowing their wisdom and prayers to lift me up.

I share this because an unmasked, real version of a person can be such a healing space—while a masked version can wound deeply. This week, I have witnessed genuine authenticity, and I am both motivated and uplifted by how truly healing it is.

I would love for you to find the courage to tap into all of your earnest emotions and seek what you truly need—and for you to be surrounded by real prayer warriors.

Your emotions, your realness, the things you’ve overcome—they are precious. Wherever you are, take heart—because the Lord, who “began a good work in you” and “will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, ESV). With the Lord, and the right people he places around you, there is no limit to what can be accomplished and healed in you.

If you are reading this, I am praying for you—and I am rooting for you.

Reflection Corner

• Where in your life have you been masking your true emotions instead of bringing them honestly before the Lord?

• Are there people in your life you trust enough to step into your “unmasked” space?

• What would it look like for you to be “real” with God this week—like Jonah—while still moving toward obedience?

Practical Takeaways

Bring your real emotions to God.

Don’t filter them. Don’t mask them. Talk to Him the way Jonah did.

Let others in when you’re hurting.

Your “unmasked” space might be the exact place where God uses others to lift you up.

Slow down to recalibrate.

Spiritual bruises are just as real as physical ones. Make space for rest, reflection, and renewal.

Choose authenticity over appearance.

God can work with real. Religious masks only delay the deeper work He wants to do.

Shalom and grace,

Lis