Sleeping Through the Storm | Numb and Numb-er

Devotional

Day 1: Resentment Leads to Running from God’s Call

Resentment, especially toward those we consider “other” or unworthy, can quietly take root in our hearts and lead us to run from God’s calling, just as Jonah fled from his assignment to preach to Nineveh. When we allow bitterness or entitlement to fester, we may find ourselves avoiding the very people or places God is asking us to love and serve, convincing ourselves that our reasons are justified. Yet, in doing so, we risk missing out on the healing and transformation God wants to bring through us and in us. Take time to examine your heart for any hidden resentments that might be causing you to run from God’s presence or assignment. [35:23]

Jonah 1:1-3 (ESV)
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

Reflection: Who is your “Nineveh”—a person or group you find it hard to love or serve? What would it look like to take one small step toward them in obedience to God today?

Day 2: Numbing Ourselves Blocks God’s Presence

When we numb our pain, disappointment, or conviction—whether through distraction, busyness, or other means—we also numb our capacity for joy, connection, and spiritual growth. Like Jonah asleep in the storm, we may appear calm on the outside but are actually checked out, missing the opportunities God places before us to engage with Him and others. Numbness promises peace but delivers distance, leaving us isolated from God, others, and even our own hearts. Instead of numbing, God invites us to be present, to feel, and to trust Him with our pain and our calling. [44:12]

Ephesians 4:17-19 (ESV)
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Reflection: What is one way you tend to numb yourself—through work, entertainment, or something else? How can you choose presence with God and others instead, even if it means feeling discomfort?

Day 3: God’s Mercy Reveals What Our Denial Conceals

God often uses storms and challenges not to punish us, but to lovingly expose what we have tried to hide or ignore—our secrets, our dysfunction, our need for Him. Just as Jonah’s identity and running were revealed in the midst of the storm, God sometimes allows chaos or discomfort to bring our true selves into the light, so that healing and transformation can begin. What we fear as judgment may actually be God’s mercy, inviting us to stop pretending and to let Him change us from the inside out. [51:25]

Jonah 1:7-10 (ESV)
And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.

Reflection: Is there a “storm” in your life right now that might be God’s way of revealing something He wants to heal or change? What would it look like to let Him bring that into the light?

Day 4: Surrendering Control Opens the Door to God’s Rescue

True freedom and deliverance come not from holding tightly to control, but from surrendering to God—even when it feels like letting go is the end. Jonah’s willingness to be thrown into the sea marked the beginning of his deliverance, not his destruction. In the same way, when we release our grip on our own plans, secrets, or self-protection, God meets us with unexpected mercy and provision, often turning what feels like confinement into a second chance. [55:16]

Jonah 1:15-17 (ESV)
So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are still trying to maintain control? What would it look like to surrender that area to God today, trusting Him with the outcome?

Day 5: God’s Grace Meets Us at Rock Bottom

Even when we hit our lowest point—whether by our own choices or circumstances beyond our control—God’s grace is already waiting for us, ready to preserve, protect, and give us a new beginning. Jonah’s time in the belly of the fish was not punishment, but provision; it was a space for God to hold him, listen to him, and prepare him for what was next. In the same way, Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate sign that God brings life out of death and hope out of despair. No matter how far we have run or how numb we have become, God is not done with us. [57:20]

Matthew 12:40 (ESV)
“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Reflection: Where do you feel like you have hit “rock bottom” or reached the end of yourself? How can you invite God’s grace to meet you there and trust Him for a new beginning?

Sermon Summary

The story of Jonah is more than a tale of a prophet and a giant fish; it’s a mirror for our own hearts, especially in a world where resentment, exhaustion, and numbness are so common. Jonah was a seasoned prophet, living in a time when Israel was politically strong but spiritually shallow. When God called him to preach to Nineveh—Israel’s brutal enemy—Jonah’s response wasn’t rooted in fear, but in deep-seated resentment and entitlement. He couldn’t stomach the idea that God’s mercy might extend to people he despised. Instead of obeying, Jonah ran in the opposite direction, trying to escape both his calling and God’s presence.

This story challenges us to examine our own hearts. Who are the “Ninevites” in our lives—the people or groups we’ve written off as unworthy of God’s love? In a culture that thrives on outrage and division, it’s easy to let resentment fuel our actions, but that only leads to spiritual numbness and distance from God. Like Jonah, we may find ourselves running—not always in open rebellion, but in exhaustion, distraction, or apathy. We numb ourselves to pain, but in doing so, we also numb ourselves to joy, wonder, and the presence of God.

Jonah’s downward spiral—resentment, running, retreating, and finally revealing—shows us the cost of living anesthetized to God’s call. Even as the world around him was in chaos, Jonah slept, checked out and indifferent. Sometimes, God allows storms in our lives not to punish us, but to wake us up, to reveal what we’ve been hiding or denying. When Jonah finally confessed, it was through his brokenness that others encountered God’s power and mercy.

The turning point comes when Jonah surrenders. What felt like the end—being thrown into the sea—became the beginning of deliverance. God’s rescue didn’t look like release from consequences, but rather a second chance, a space for transformation. The story reminds us that numbness is a liar: it promises peace, comfort, and control, but delivers only distance, emptiness, and exhaustion. The opposite of numbness isn’t pain, but presence—God with us, even in the darkest places. The invitation is to wake up, surrender, and let God’s mercy move us toward the people and purposes we’ve been avoiding.

Key Takeaways

1. Resentment is a Subtle but Destructive Force Jonah’s refusal to go to Nineveh wasn’t about fear, but about a deep resentment toward people he considered unworthy of God’s mercy. This same spirit can take root in our own hearts, leading us to write off individuals or groups as beyond redemption. When we let resentment fester, it quietly distances us from God’s heart and blinds us to the radical inclusivity of His grace. [35:06]
2. Numbing Ourselves Blocks Both Pain and Joy We often choose to numb our disappointments, conflicts, and convictions, thinking it will protect us from hurt. But as Brene Brown notes, we cannot selectively numb emotions—when we numb pain, we also numb joy and wonder. This spiritual anesthesia leaves us detached, missing out on the fullness of life and the presence of God, who meets us in both our sorrow and our celebration. [33:22]
3. Familiarity with God Can Breed Apathy Instead of Obedience Jonah was a professional prophet, yet his familiarity with God’s voice led him to complacency and disobedience. When faith becomes routine, we risk assuming we know what God will say and stop responding to His call. True spiritual maturity is not about knowledge alone, but about a heart that remains open, responsive, and obedient to God’s ongoing invitations. [46:02]
4. God Uses Storms to Reveal and Heal What We Hide The storms in our lives are not always signs of God’s anger; often, they are divine interventions meant to wake us up and bring hidden issues to light. Jonah’s exposure on the ship forced him to confront his identity and calling, and it was through this vulnerability that others encountered God. Sometimes, what feels like punishment is actually God’s mercy, creating space for confession, healing, and new beginnings. [50:58]
5. Surrender Opens the Door to God’s Presence and Purpose Jonah’s deliverance didn’t come until he surrendered control, even when it meant facing the consequences of his choices. God’s rescue may not look like immediate escape, but it always involves His presence and a second chance. The opposite of numbness is not simply feeling pain, but experiencing the nearness of God, who transforms our darkest moments into opportunities for grace and mission. [56:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:24] - Celebrating Baptisms and Series Introduction
[29:47] - The Story of Jonah: More Than a Fish Tale
[30:38] - Going Deeper: Resources and Grace
[31:30] - The Good News of Grace
[32:30] - Numbing Ourselves: Novocaine for the Soul
[33:43] - Jonah: Drained, Not Defiant
[34:19] - Israel’s Prosperity and Spiritual Shallowing
[34:44] - God’s Unthinkable Call to Jonah
[35:23] - The Downward Spiral: Resentment and Running
[36:37] - The Son of Truth Runs from Truth
[38:33] - Jonah’s Escape to Tarshish
[39:21] - The Ninevites: Real Enemies, Real Resentment
[40:15] - Resentment in Our Own Hearts
[42:28] - Running from God’s Presence
[43:49] - Numbing and Checking Out
[45:16] - When Outsiders Cry Out and Insiders Sleep
[46:59] - God’s Storms: Waking Us Up
[49:16] - Jonah’s Identity Revealed
[50:46] - Storms as Mercy, Not Punishment
[52:00] - Releasing Control: Jonah’s Surrender
[53:42] - God’s Mission in Our Rebellion
[56:22] - Surrender and Rescue
[57:20] - The Fish: Protection, Not Punishment
[59:33] - Numbness Is a Liar
[61:05] - Reflection and Surrender
[64:06] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jonah 1:1-17 (ESV) —
> Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.
>
> But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”
>
> And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
>
> Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
>
> Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
>
> And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Observation Questions

What reasons does the text give for Jonah’s decision to run away from God’s command? How does the sermon describe Jonah’s motivation? [[35:06]]
What was Jonah doing during the storm, and how did the sailors respond differently? [[43:05]]
How did the sailors discover that Jonah was the cause of the storm, and what was Jonah’s response when confronted? [[47:23]]
What happened immediately after Jonah was thrown into the sea? How did the sailors react? [[53:42]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says Jonah’s refusal to go to Nineveh was rooted in resentment, not fear. Why is this distinction important for understanding Jonah’s heart and our own? [[35:06]]
The preacher describes Jonah as “checked out” and “numb” rather than simply rebellious. What are some signs of spiritual numbness in a person’s life? [[43:49]]
The sermon points out that the pagan sailors showed more reverence for God than Jonah did. What does this reveal about the dangers of spiritual entitlement or complacency? [[49:57]]
The storm and the fish are described as God’s mercy, not punishment. How does this challenge common assumptions about hardship and God’s discipline? [[50:46]]

Application Questions

The sermon asks, “Who are the ‘Ninevites’ in your life—the people or groups you’ve written off as unworthy of God’s love?” Can you identify anyone you struggle to believe God could love or forgive? What would it look like to pray for them this week? [[41:19]]
The preacher says, “We numb ourselves to pain, but in doing so, we also numb ourselves to joy, wonder, and the presence of God.” What are some ways you tend to numb yourself (e.g., busyness, entertainment, substances, distractions)? How does this affect your relationship with God and others? [[33:22]]
Jonah was a prophet who had become overly familiar with God’s voice and stopped responding in obedience. Are there areas in your faith where you’ve become complacent or assume you know what God will say? How can you re-engage with God’s call in those areas? [[46:02]]
The sermon says, “Sometimes, God allows storms in our lives not to punish us, but to wake us up, to reveal what we’ve been hiding or denying.” Can you think of a time when a difficult situation exposed something in your heart that needed to change? How did you respond? [[50:46]]
The preacher led the congregation in a prayer of surrender, inviting people to “uncross their arms” as a symbol of openness to God. What is one area of your life where you sense God is asking you to surrender control? What would it look like to take a step of surrender this week? [[01:03:22]]
The sermon says, “Numbness is a liar: it promises peace, comfort, and control, but delivers only distance, emptiness, and exhaustion.” Where have you experienced this in your own life? What is one practical step you can take to move from numbness to presence with God? [[59:33]]
The story ends with God giving Jonah a second chance. Is there an area where you need to receive God’s mercy and start again? How can your group support you in this? [[57:20]]

Sermon Clips

Numbing often feels better than hurting, and that feels like the choice that we're making. But what we don't realize is that it often costs our healing when we choose not to feel what's really happening around us. And the problem is that when we numb pain, we also numb joy. [00:33:10] (16 seconds) #NumbnessCostsHealing

The storm stopped the second that Jonah surrendered. And the same sea that was raging with chaos went still in an instant. That's what happens when you finally release control. What feels like death becomes the beginning of deliverance, even if your circumstances aren't instantly different. [00:55:03] (18 seconds) #MissionAwaitsInStorm

``The point is not about the fish. The point is about our heavenly Father. That when Jonah hit rock bottom, grace was already waiting for him in his deepest pain, in the place of his darkest secret. God does not send the fish to punish Jonah. He sends the fish to preserve Jonah. What looks like confinement is actually protection. What feels like the end is really God creating space for a new beginning. [00:57:18] (30 seconds) #GodRedeemsRebellion

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does running from God's call reveal about our hearts?

How does numbness hinder spiritual growth and connection?

In what ways can surrender lead to divine rescue?

Sleeping Through the Storm | Numb and Numb-er | Menlo Church Live Stream