Reflections: On Enemies [- Christianity Today Magazine]

We too often have difficulty in loving our enemies precisely because we are afraid they might repent. Such was Jonah's problem . …Jonah is unable to cope with the loss of his enemies . …He would rather die than face a gracious God and the Ninevites as potential friends.

Gregory Jones, Embodying Forgiveness

This links with earlier reflections on forgiveness. Our anger wants to blame the other, their repentance exposes our unwillingness to forgive. We then need to understand our reasons to hold on to anger and unforgiveness. Or do we? In the Jonah story, God confronts Jonah with a bigger picture of mercifulness and invites repentance rather than introspection. Perhaps this is more a life coaching model than a counselling model for spiritual direction?

Needs a bit more thinking about.