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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