What She did in her crisis . . .

The economy is in the news a lot these days. Pundits are offering their take on whether inflation is here to stay. If we can term the current economic climate a recession. Or if the most recent jobs report is an indicator of positive or negative things to come. But what about when you face a personal economic crisis? When it comes to our money or the lack thereof, as leadHERs, it’s a topic we tend to get real about, real quick. It’s one thing to see the steep price increases of some of the basic products we like to buy, but another thing altogether when creditors are demanding payment with a threat to repossess our means of transportation. Just ask the Prophet’s Wife how quickly things can escalate when it comes to a lack of financial resources.

A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” (II Kings 4:1, NKJV)

A very real desperation brings the Prophet’s Wife to Elisha, and she hasn’t come for platitudes or niceties. Her crisis demands a solution. Can you help me save my sons? The faithful wife of a devote prophet facing an impossible situation, pulls on the heartstrings of the nation’s preeminent prophet. But this isn’t a conundrum that Elisha can personally solve. Have you ever been there in life or leadership? Needing a solution, an answer, a resolution immediately?

So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” (II Kings 4:2, NKJV)

Evaluating the seriousness of her situation, Elisha asks about the resources she has in her house. After telling him all that she lacked, the Prophet’s Wife may have wondered why he would ask what she had left. In her house, in the place where she seemingly had the greatest deficit, what did Elisha expect her to find? But an unexpected miracle waited for the Prophet’s Wife through the unusual instructions Elisha gave to her.

Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” (II Kings 4:3-4)

Where do you look as a leadHER, when you’re out of resources, out of options? Do you look around? Do you look up? Do you look within? In a crisis, we can size up our situation and determine its limitations, convinced that there’s no remedy in sight. We can totally miss the answer sitting right in front of us, obscured by all the inadequacies we can name. LeadHER, what you have is enough.

So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.”And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. (II Kings 4:5-6)

Putting into action the instruction she had been given, the Prophet’s wife filled the jars, vessels, and bowls that filled her dwelling place. An empty space had been transformed into a room filled with a resource that would more than pay the debt she owed. Yes, she had to borrow. Yes, she had to ask for help. Yes, she had to humble herself. On the path forward in a crisis, leadHERs, we may have to follow the same or similar steps. LeadHER, God will use what you have.

Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” (II Kings 4:7)

Oil that wouldn’t stop flowing until it filled the final container – the Prophet’s Wife didn’t know that she had that kind of resource in her house. A God that could turn an ordinary household product into generational wealth – the Prophet’s wife didn’t know this depth of God’s miraculous power and love until she faced this particular crisis. Our crises can serve as powerful platforms for God to reveal His supernatural ability in our everyday experience. Often in the moments we least expect, God will use something we have to surpass our expectation and blow our minds. LeadHER, get ready for the overflow.

Let the Prophet’s Wife’s story encourage you in a crisis to . . .

Ask for help – Seek out trusted, spiritual voices.

Follow unusual instructions – Take the limits off when you only see limitations.

Uncover hidden resources – Discover the value of what you still have.

Watch God work – Experience the miraculous within the ordinary.

LeadHER, my prayer for you today is that for every lack in your life, you will come to know God’s divine provision. Recognize that His ability to provide for you is never limited by the little you may have left. May you be surprised by the plans He devises to solve your problem and overwhelmed by His great love!

Your Sister in LeadHERship,

Dr. Margaret R. Frye

Want to learn more about the story of the Prophet’s Wife? Find it in II Kings 4:1-7.

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