There's a story about an ill-tempered man who was sullen and silent at the breakfast table.
"How do you want your eggs cooked?" his wife asked gently.
"One fried and one scrambled," he answered gruffly.
When she placed the eggs before him, he was furious.
"What's wrong?" asked his wife.
"You fried the wrong egg," he snapped.
People like this seem to have a chip on their shoulder that keeps them from enjoying life, that keeps them from finding life's good things, and causes them to only see the downside of most, if not all, situations.
Perhaps you have heard a pessimist believes that life is a car wash, and he's on a bicycle. Or, a pessimist can look at the land of milk and honey and see only calories and cholesterol.
In the Bible, God told Jonah he wanted him to go to Nineveh to proclaim a message of repentance. Jonah did not want to do that, so he ran away. Jonah refused to do that because he had a prejudice against the Ninevites that ran to the very core of his being.
Jonah could not look beyond his interests and desires long enough to realize God had a greater plan. All he could see was God did not support his position, and decided God was on the wrong side. As a result, Jonah lost his faith in God.
For many, it is easy to lose faith in God when things don't go their way. During these times, they tend to think God is unjust, isn't listening to them, doesn't exist, or doesn't care. So they turn their back on God.
But when tragedy strikes, or a person finds himself or herself sinking into the depths of despair or fear, or they hit rock bottom, they realize, once again, that God is the center of their strength, their life's source.
That's what happened with Jonah. As he sank into the depths of the sea, he cried out to God. Jonah's eyes were opened to God's greatness as he prayed. God reached down to save his servant, his child, and lifted him up.
God will do the same for you. When it seems as though God may not have your best interest at heart, look again.
God sees the whole picture and will give you, absolutely, what is best for you.
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview's pastor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: God wants the best for you