Read this insightful post on pyromaniacs from Phil Johnson. Don’t worry, it will open in a new tab. (Don’t forget to come back!)
In summary – Phil uses the story of Jonah to point to the fact that often what appears like disaster in our life or the life of another is being used by God for a greater purpose.
Not to 1-up Phil, but to add to his post, it continually occurred to me that Jonah’s story was also used in the New Testament as a type of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
Matthew 12:39-40 ESV
39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
So next time “things are tough,” take heed. Avoid complaining (Ph 2:14) and consider the glory of God revealed through Jonah’s seemingly unfortunate circumstances.
Keep up the God Glorifying work my friend.