What God Does With Angry Saints

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
September 27, 2026
Jonah 4:4

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:1-3 (ESV)

“And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”” Jonah 4:4 (ESV)

1. GOD PATIENTLY LISTENS

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar…Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” Psalm 139:1-2, 4 (ESV)

"How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Psalm 13:1 (ESV)

God can do more with an HONEST heart than we can do with a HIDDEN one.

2. GOD GRACIOUSLY SPEAKS

“And the Lord said…” Jonah 4:4a (ESV)

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:6 (ESV)

The voice that CONVICTS and CORRECTS you is the voice that loves you.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Honestly tell God how you FEEL but let Him tell you what is TRUE.

3. GOD LOVINGLY EXAMINES

“Do you do well to be angry?” Jonah 4:4b (ESV)

Anger is often a WARNING LIGHT.

"That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish..." Jonah 4:2 (ESV)

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” James 4:1 (ESV)

Anger has a way of REVEALING what our hearts are PROTECTING.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)