Claustrophobia is one of the most common phobias in America. Claustrophobia is characterized by panic that is a result of being in enclosed spaces.  It can develop from either a traumatic childhood experience (such as being trapped in a small space during a childhood game), or from another unpleasant experience later on in life involving confined spaces (such as being stuck in an elevator).  When an individual experiences such an event, it can often trigger a panic attack.  This response then becomes programmed in the brain, establishing an association between being in a tight space and feeling anxious or out-of-control.  As a result, the person often develops claustrophobia.

Jonah is certainly a great candidate for developing claustrophobia.  Jonah’s prayer to God from the belly of the great fish comes from his distress and anxiety over being in this confined space.  Yet Jonah is thankful to God for being saved by the fish.  Jonah had done nothing to deserve being rescued; his salvation was by grace alone.

The Lord deals with us not according to strict justice, but rather in ways that are consistently full of grace.  We have a tendency to turn away from God until there is a crisis.  Then out of panic or anxiety, we turn to God for help. 

When you are in a desperate situation, do you have a tendency to pray with hope or is prayer a pessimistic last resort?