A simple process to follow when someone spirals

Have you ever allowed fear to drive how you react? Or have you ever allowed bad theology to drive a thought process?  

I sure have! Ugh! I think this is why these stood out to me in in today's widow story.

The widow of Zarephath has the man of God living with her in the upper room. She has experienced the miracle of the flour and oil not running out. Yet, when her son took ill and started breathing in her crisis she fell prey to her emotion and bad theology rather than remember the present truth she has learned about God.

Ugh. It is so real. Our past formation is so hard to shed and some of it doesn't shed quickly. Yeah, I know some does instantly. But we all have something that is still in the process of being transformed. 

So, what do we do when we are confronted with someone in a spiral?

Elijah nailed it. He didn't defend himself, debate it, or negate it. He took action. He picked up the boy, removed himself and the boy, and prayed.

He left and prayed. He went to God. Make sure you catch that repeat. It was intentional. 

When he prayed, he said three things. 

1. He acknowledged the circumstance.

2. He asked God if He was in it.

3. He asked for the need.

God heard.

God answered. 

They both lived in the blessing.

Truly, a simple process. Don't ya think?

Why would you teach that?

I once was asked, "Why would you teach the widow's oil story?" I understood the why behind the question. I am not a widow Let me apply my why to another Widow's story.

In 1 Kings 17:7-16, there is a man of God (Elijah, the prophet) and a widow in Zarephath.  

Now, I am neither a "man of God" or a widow. I am not living in a land suffering famine or drought. 

But, I am a "woman of God", a teacher of the Word of God, a person who has known loss of people through death, and the loss of my home due to floods.

So, when I read a story... honestly any story whether in the Bible, news, or fiction, I will ask myself, "What principles can I learn?"

Both the man of God and the widow teach me the importance of listening, trusting, and obeying God. These core three principles are why they both enjoyed God's provision.

But, I noticed the prophet, aka teacher of God, provided comfort, used simple questions, simple directives, and took time to bless by reminding that God will provide. He helped her focus on the truth of God. He gave time in the journey and his presence.

While the widow willingly shared. She gave sacrificially in time while preparing food and giving portions of her last meal to the man of God. She was simpke and honest.

I do not need to be a "man of God" or a widow to know the blessing of these character traits.

So, yes, I can learn from stories in the Bible that might not directly be related to my life circumstances. In fact, I know the fruit of studying this way. It has brought about great conviction and transformation in my life. 

Right now, I am praying for the ability to simply communicate God's Word so all can hear. I am also praying that I grow in my sacrificial service of others. 

Which principles from the widow of Zarephath's story do you need to focus on?

"I only have..."

I am sitting in the story of Elijah with the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16). 

The need was great. The man of God needed sustenance and the widow only had meager supplies as the drought brought about a catastrophic famine in the land. 

Yet, God granted a miracle to feed three when the resources were scarce and the provision did not make sense. 

God could have continued using the ravens in a ravine way down south in the Judean desert to feed the man of God, but His eye was upon a widow in the north by the Mediterranean Sea. 

While the widow thought she was preparing her last meal for her and her son, God was preparing a way as only the Way Maker can do. He was sending a hungry prophet to be fed with her meager supplies. His journey would take three to four days walking at faithful pace. We might assume he had no food or water for his journey since the ravens had stopped feeding him and there was a famine in the land. 

His request for water might have been desperately spoken through dry parched lips and a throat so dry it burned to speak. 

She only need share what was her last resource to the man of God to receive the miraculous gift of an always full jar of oil and flour.

Desperation born from different reasons.

God could have fed the widow in the north with ravens or even turtles for that matter and the prophet in the south like wise. But, God likes to make human connections. He loves to build community and relationships. He uses these moments to build character and hope. He knows full well what will build our trust and test our faith. 

Will we go? Will we share? Do we dare? Do we listen? Do we obey? 

Sometimes, we find our provision in meeting someone else's need with our, "I only have..."

What miracle might we be missing by thinking, "I only have...?"