From Jonah to Job – My Retreat and the Battle

Hello folks

I’ve just come back from a wonderful church holiday with Vizion Church Glasgow at The Hobbit venue in Sowerby Bridge, York. What a special place, great views, a hot tub, and even Jewish symbolism on the doors and Jewish books on the shelf; it felt like God had prepared it just for us.

Mornings we read through 1 and 2 Timothy. At night the pastor took us through the four chapters of Jonah, “The Reluctant Man.” That study hit me hard.

I saw myself in Jonah. The Lord has been calling me to ministry for some time. I had a serious alcohol addiction about 20-plus years ago, with binges right up until around 2008 when I went to Cornhill in Scotland. Even after that, the heavy load at home with my disabled autistic adult children (and all the practical demands) made me hesitate and sometimes run from the call.

My wife has carried so much; she is a rock and my best friend. But God has been merciful and has helped me.

During the prayer times on the holiday, I really let myself go, I wept and couldn’t stop, and I’m not a crying man. I didn’t even cry at my mum and dad’s funerals years ago. My wife reminded me that Jesus Himself wept (John 11:35) and Peter wept bitterly before the Lord restored him. Those tears felt like healing.

I also had great walks with elder Charles, to Tesco in Sowerby Bridge one day and to Wainhouse Tower another. It was good to spill my guts and talk honestly. Those times of fellowship were a real blessing, and he did amazingly on climbing the hills.

I came home refreshed and encouraged, but that very night, at midnight and again at 5 a.m., my son Roddy had violent seizures. He couldn’t even stand. The 30+ degree heat in Helensburgh or the excitement of me being home might have triggered it.

Suddenly, the week of retreat turned into battle mode, trying to keep my son safe.

It felt like the devil was attacking us just like in the book of Job. We had a time of blessing and renewal, and straight away the enemy hit our family.

I know spiritual warfare is real. The Bible says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Jesus often withdrew to pray and rest (Luke 5:16), and He told His disciples, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

Our church holiday was like that, time to be refreshed in the Word and prayer so we can stand strong when the battle comes. I’m thankful I went and my wife encouraged me to go. These times like that are biblical and necessary.

We shared the news about Roddy in the church WhatsApp group. They love him and are praying for him daily. That means so much. We are not meant to fight alone.

Even in this battle, I’m holding onto God’s promises. Like Jonah, the Lord gives second chances to reluctant servants. Like Job, God is sovereign and can restore. His grace is sufficient for me in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Please pray for Roddy’s protection and healing, for strength for my wife and family, and that the Lord would clearly guide me in this call to ministry.

If you are in a similar battle, past addiction, family struggles, special needs, or spiritual attack, take heart. God sees you. He pursues us even when we run.

Let’s keep standing firm in the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and encouraging one another.

Keep Bible Strong

Peter