How does God prepare His people for salvation?

Throughout the narrative of Jonah, we see God's sovereign hand preparing circumstances for His purpose—whether it's the storm, the fish, or the gourd—everything is orchestrated for Jonah's understanding of God's mercy. Similarly, in our lives, God prepares our hearts through trials and experiences that lead us to recognize our need for Him. The doctrine of sovereign grace asserts that it's not by our own understanding or efforts that we come to faith, but by God’s preparatory work in our hearts, granting us eyes to see and ears to hear. This preparation is essential for us to be granted repentance and faith unto salvation.