Tending (Jonah 4)

Jonah chapter 4-Jonah got so angry when the vine that God provided died. God asked Jonah in verse 4, "Have you any right to be angry?" In verse 9 Jonah replies, "I do, I am angry enough to die." Then in verse 10 God says," You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend to it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight." 

As I was reading this morning, I realized the root to a lot of my anger. God blesses me so much, how on earth do I have the right to be angry at the Lord's goodness and compassion or even over something so stupid like Jonah did? This chapter is showing me that my anger a lot of the times comes from me forgetting to tend things. Things like: My life, my marriage, my house, my relationships, my quite times with God, my responsibilities, even my little plant on the porch.You can even sum up this chapter in Jonah superficially...."When you stop working at something, it will stop working for you." I just feel so selfish when I have so much and do not take care of it.

What is even more convicting is in verse 10 when it says, "It sprang up overnight and it died overnight." This just showed me how fast things can "die" when I neglect them.Jonah has really showed me that anger is so my deal. I have no right to be angry at God's goodness and compassion over me when it is my fault for not tending my life.