The Voice from the Abyss

Jonah was at rock bottom: inside a fish, wrapped in weeds, in total darkness. He prays. But surprisingly, he ends not begging, but thanking. "But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you."

Jonah thanked God before he was vomited out. He was still in the dark. This is "sacrifice of praise": thanking when you want to complain. Gratitude was the trigger: immediately after, the fish released him.

Waiting for things to improve to give thanks? Gratitude isn't just the result of deliverance; often it's the cause. If you are in the "belly of the fish", switch from lament to thanksgiving. Gratitude turns on the light.