7 STEPS from Jonah 2:1-10
1. WHEN YOU HIT BOTTOM, LOOK UP TO GOD
"From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.' Jonah 2:1
The disciples privately asked Jesus, "Why couldn't we drive that bad spirit out?' Jesus answered 'This kind can only be forced out by prayer.'' Mark 9:28-29
2. PRAY PASSIONATELY
"Jonah said 'In my distress and deep trouble I cried out to the Lord and he answered me.'' Jonah 2:2
Action Plan: Focus this week on being passionate in your prayer life. Read through some of the Psalms like Psalm 38-40 for examples of passionate prayer.
3. IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF MY HOPELESSNESS
"You cast me into the deep water, and I sank to the bottom of the sea. Everything was churning around me, and I was engulfed by powerful waves that overwhelmed me. Then I thought 'I've been banished from God's Presence and I'll never get to see your holy temple again.' I was scared to death, afraid I was drowning with water choking me and seaweed wrapped all around my head. I kept sinking down to mountains that rise off the ocean floor. I felt locked in a prison forever . . .' Jonah 2:3-6
Action Plan: Go through the list below and note which cause(s) you are feeling. Spend some time thinking through why you might feel this way. Bring them into your prayers this week.
8 causes of hopelessness
CHECK any that you may be feeling
- Feeling i'M IN OVER MY HEAD
" You cast me into the deep water'
- Feeling I'VE HIT BOTTOM
" I sank to the bottom of the sea'
- Feeling OUT OF CONTROL AND POWERLESS
"Everything was churning around me'
- Feeling OVERWHELMED
" I was engulfed by powerful waves that overwhelmed me.'
- Feeling REJECTED OR LONELY
" Then I thought 'I've been banished from God's Presence'
- Feeling REMORSE AND REGRET
" and I'll never get to see your holy temple again."
- Feeling CRUSHING FEAR
" I was scared to death, afraid I was drowning with water choking me and seaweed wrapped all around my head.'
- Feeling TRAPPED
"I felt locked in a prison forever'
4. ASK GOD FOR SPECIFIC HELP
" From the deep in the world of the dead I ASKED FOR HELP and you listened to my cry.' Jonah 2:2b
"Call to me in your times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor me." Psalm 50:15 (NCV)
5. FOCUS ON THE GOODNESS OF GOD TO ME
" When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your Holy Temple.' Jonah 2:7 (NLT)
6 REJECT FALSE FIXES AND ACCEPT GOD'S GRACE
"Those who look to worthless idolsforfeit the grace that could be theirs.' Jonah 2:8
"You, O Lord, saved me and brought my life back up from the pit.' Jonah 2:6b
7. EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO GOD IN ADVANCE
"I will sing a song of thanksgiving, and I will sacrifice to you, and I will do what I have promised you to do because salvation comes from the Lord!' Jonah 2:9
1. Through singing
2. Through giving back to God
3. Through recommitting to my mission
Action Plan: Use these three points and Jonah 2:9 as a checklist for yourself this week. Make it a point to sing, give, and recommit. Consider memorizing Jonah 2:7 this week as well.
"For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.' Romans 11:29 (NIV)
"So the Lord ordered the great fish to vomit Jonah onto a beach.' Jonah 2:10
NEXT WEEK: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET A 2ND CHANCE
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship looks at the spiritual practice of Holy Noticing with author Charles Stone. New episodes release every Tuesday. To listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over, click here
