I would like to invite you to imagine with me for a moment… being stuck… in the belly of a whale… 

It’s cold and damp… there’s no way you’ll ever warm up in here. 

It’s so dark… you can’t see a thing, let alone the way out. 

That putrid smell—it’s absolutely horrid. And you just pray it doesn’t take over your taste buds too.

Those constant gurgling sounds leave you longing for the sound of silence.

That was part of Jonah’s story… having been swallowed by a whale. I imagine that was one of the great trials of his life. His words are pretty powerful and descriptive as he shares his experience in the book of Jonah.

Truly, we have all been there… many of us are there right now… stuck… in the belly of a whale—stuck in a trial so difficult that we can’t see the way out. 

I want you to think about your whale belly… What is it? Or maybe you have more than one…

Maybe it’s an illness that seems to have no end.

Or losing your job and the way to provide for your family.

Or being wrongfully accused of something you didn’t do.

Maybe it’s an addiction.

Or a weakness that you can’t seem to overcome.

Maybe it’s depression or anxiety.

Or loss of a loved one or a once-cherished relationship.

Maybe it’s an accident that caused injuries and took a toll in ways you couldn’t have imagined.

We all have a story. Life gets hard sometimes—and none of us are exempt. Truly, we live in a fallen world. But I’m here to tell you… that as hard as things might get, there is always a way out. 

You can live a joyful and fulfilling life, even when you are stuck in the belly of a whale. God is always in the details, even when you can’t see past the darkness. He will never fail you—He can take the worst of things and turn them for your good—if you let Him. 

There is a lot to learn from the story of Jonah and the Whale.

There are various reasons why we might end up in the belly of a whale… sometimes we do dumb things and put ourselves in a bad situation, sometimes other people do dumb things that affect us deeply, and sometimes accidents just happen. 

What really matters is what we choose to do amidst our trials. 

Here are the lessons I learned from Jonah—I didn’t include the scripture references, but if you want them LMK and I’ll send them to you.

1. You can take responsibility for your part.

Who or what are you blaming for your being in the belly of a whale? Blame keeps you stuck in the place of a victim. You can never truly move out of the whale belly if you are placing blame—whether it’s on yourself, on God, or on the people who threw you overboard (whether or not it was justified). 

Use your agency by accepting responsibility for your part. This will help you to move forward and live your life, rather than just letting life happen to you. 

2. Recognize that God has a plan to save YOU.

God orchestrated a way to save Jonah from drowning. God was in the details of Jonah’s life, and He is in the details of your life. You can’t always see what He’s doing behind the scenes, but you can be assured that He is working on your behalf. 

3. Turn to the Lord—pray in faith.

Jonah first prayed with beautiful intention and feeling, recognizing the fear and terror of death by drowning, and then he was swallowed up into a deeper and darker place than he could have imagined… yet… it was a safe place. 

Second, Jonah expressed faith that the Lord’s hand was in all of that… he had faith that the Lord heard his prayer, even though they were separated by a great chasm—to the point where he felt the Lord couldn’t even see him anymore. That’s great faith! 

4. Be real with yourself. 

Jonah recognized that he had to be real with himself to obtain mercy. No more lies of self-justification for his previous behaviors, which again shows him taking responsibility for his part.

5. Be grateful. 

Jonah expressed gratitude and thanksgiving. An attitude of gratitude can change everything. It allows you to see the good, even when things are hard. And when you can see the good, things start to get better and better and better. Gratitude is the key to happiness. 

6. Be dedicated.

Jonah pledged to make good on his vows—to heed the call to serve. Part of being dedicated is keeping your word. Do what you say you are going to do. 

7. Praise God 

Jonah praised God. Praise is worship. Have you ever felt love for God and Jesus Christ with real and raw feelings of love?

As you come to know God better, and to recognize His Greatness, and strive to see the big picture—the eternal perspective—you will come to better understand what He’s done for you… and your words and your emotions become praise. 

Jonah did all of these things BEFORE he was delivered!

The prayers, the faith, the gratitude, the acceptance, the dedication, the praise… He did all of that while he was still stuck in the darkness—BEFORE the massive relief of his deliverance when he was vomited back onto dry ground.

Jonah’s experience encompasses what it means to have an eternal perspective. But there’s more! Here comes lesson number 8.

The following is a perspective I heard for the first time just over a year ago from Heather Quisel… and it is sooooo beautiful. 

While Jonah was stuck in the belly of the whale… while he was working through all of his stuff… 

That whale was swimming… that whale was being led by God… that whale became a vehicle to take Jonah to the place where God needed him to be. 

I’m going to write that one more time because it’s sooo important…

While Jonah was stuck in the belly of the whale… while he was working through all of his stuff… 

That whale was swimming… that whale was being led by God… that whale became a vehicle to take Jonah to the place where God needed him to be.

God is in your story too. He is in the details of your life. He is working behind the scenes to turn your whale belly into a vehicle that will take you to greater heights—to help you become who He wants you to be, even amidst the craziness of this fallen world and the difficulties of this life. 

Remember… there is always a way out, even if it doesn’t seem that way yet. You can live a joyful and fulfilling life, even when you are stuck in the belly of a whale. God is always in the details, no matter how blinding the darkness. He will never fail you—He can take the worst of things and turn them for your good—He will help you overcome the world—if you let Him. Please let Him do that for you.

Love from Jac

*******************************************************

Since we promised to treat you to an extra dose of light in your inbox, we include a Dose of Enlightenment for you at the end of each newsletter. We value your agency, so it’s up to you whether or not you receive it!

This Dose of Enlightenment is a frequency equation meant to clear a hidden and trapped emotion that you’ve been holding onto. 

If today's emotion is one that we have already cleared, know that we are addressing a different layer or situation this time.

*******************************************************

Today’s emotion is: feeling life is a tough struggle

How does this emotion apply to you? For best results, ponder this question and identify how feeling life is a tough struggle applies to you.

Dose of Enlightenment: 77 + 923 = E

Say it out loud with intent: “seventy-seven plus nine-twenty-three equals enlightenment.”

Breathe. Let it go. Feel the shift. Allow your body to be filled with light.

*******************************************************

The Doses of Enlightenment come from the M: Collaborations with the Divine Doctor book by Jaclyn Taylor. If you haven’t picked up a copy yet and want to learn more about how this works, you can get one here: 

https://intrinsicallyawaken.com

*******************************************************

Feel free to send us a message at hello@enso-ia.com. We would love to hear from you!

*******************************************************

Every decision you make brings you closer to—or farther away from—the Light. We will meet you at the Light! 
​