The Tough Choices

The Tough Choices
Words of Faith 9-27-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Jonah 1
[11] The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?" [12] "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you." [13] Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. [14] Then they cried to the Lord, "O Lord, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O Lord, have done as you pleased." [15] Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. [16] At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

We often think of the story of Jonah and characterize the crew on the ship as a selfish mob that threw him overboard in a sort of hysteria. In reality, the crew seems to have attempted everything possible to find peace in another way. The crew seeks every alternative except to eject Jonah from the ship.
When the crew asked Jonah what they should do, he responded that the only answer would be for them to throw him into the sea. This is not the truth. The truth is that Jonah could have himself jumped overboard. But a person in rebellion will seldom admit their responsibility for the storm or take the courage to act. It is only with the greatest reluctance that the crew finally sends Jonah into the sea.
People who are in a state of rebellion will often force those around them to act in what appears to be a rash or extreme way. People who are in a state of rebellion against God will often blame everyone but themselves. People who are in a state of rebellion against God will do everything possible to keep from acting themselves and instead force those around them to take action.
This is true of the alcoholic, the addict, the chronically irresponsible, the cheater, and nearly every dysfunction we might name. The storms rage. The winds blow. The ship is going to sink but the person at the center of it all is sleeping. And the only response is: "Well... you will have to do something with me... I am not responsible."
The hardest thing in the world is to act in such a situation. The guilt feelings that came with this action were horrendous. Fortunately, for us, the solution rarely involves throwing someone overboard from a boat! But what is needed can be just as hard. The action required of us may be more passive‑‑ not letting someone come home, cutting off finances, putting someone out of the house, not bailing them out, or just not covering up.
We sometimes call this "tough love," but it is painful no matter the name. The truth is that the crew did the most loving thing they could possibly do for Jonah when they threw him overboard. The most loving action is often to allow a person in rebellion to face the storm that is of their making. It is the only way they will ever find peace.
As a pastor, the hardest decisions I ever make are the ones to not act, to allow a person to face their own storm whether it is a financial, emotional, or spiritual storm. You may not face such a situation personally but as part of the body of Christ, we all do.

Are you struggling with a decision concerning a person in rebellion against God? Are you facing some tough calls? There is nothing that will make your decision easy. But with prayer and faith, you can act and the road to peace can begin. I am praying for you today.

Lord, help me to be the most loving person I can be to those you have entrusted to me even if that love is tough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.