MATURE, LIKE JONAH?

Some people think that if you're just a young Christian, you can be excused for falling to temptation, but if you've been saved a while--say you're a missionary or a pastor--you probably got this sanctification thing down pat, right? And you set an example for all the Christians around?

Like Jonah? I mean, he was a mature believer and had so much scripture memorized, he could recite it when he was in the belly of a fish!

But even after the great revival of Nineveh, the Bible shows the veteran missionary Jonah had a pity-party! The sun was beating down on his head, but God made a gourd nearby grow a vine to make leafy shade for Jonah. But all it took was a hungry little worm to get Jonah suicidal--really! Read it--Jonah 4:8.

Do you think pastors and missionaries never have problems like battling depression? Think again. Until we get to Glory, every regenerate child of God will be groaning, along with the rest of nature, awaiting the time all things will be made right.

I mean, the other day, I was feeling down about having to wash my hair. Most people would NEVER imagine people who've walked with God for 60 years struggle with things like that!