In the story of the Shunammite woman, we see a woman who was seeking and placing value on godly things. She recognized the blessing of having Elisha ministering in her life and she was grateful. She wanted to use the resources she had to bless this man of God by providing him a place to stay. This was a woman who wanted to give. She was not doing it for any material gain. She was content with accepting the circumstances of her life without grumble or complaint, including being past the days when she would likely conceive a child from her elderly husband. But, God knew that it would bless her heart to have a son. He knew also that the heart strings of motherhood would cause pain and distress if anything happened to that son. 

This reminded me of the young Mary who also valued godly things and upon whom God would bestow the greatest honor of motherhood in being the mother of the promised Messiah. The Scriptures tell us she was blessed to be the mother of Jesus, however, she too would feel all the sorrows and distress of what would happen to her son. “Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.””  Luke‬ ‭2:34-35‬ ‭

As I pondered this, I thought about how this life brings such a mix of joy and sorrow. We can be favored by God and yet the blessings God has given us may also one day become intertwined with pain and heartache. Obviously the Shunammite woman was heartbroken at the death of her son and she pressed for answers.

“When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.” “Did I ask you for a son, my Lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?””  2 Kings‬ ‭4:27-28‬ ‭

How often do we find ourselves with questions and pouring our heart out to God, trying to understand why, if we are promised his favor and blessing, do we also have to endure pain,sorrow, heartache and distress. Obviously, in this life there is a mix of joy and sorrow. But, even though we may not always understand in the moment, ultimately we can trust that God can be glorified even from our suffering. And if God is glorified, is that not the greatest service of our life that we can offer to Him? 

And God did use this time of heartache and suffering for His glory and also for her well-being. Fast forward to the perfect timing of this woman coming before the King to petition him for the return of her land. “The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.” Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my Lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.””  2 Kings‬ ‭8:4-5‬. So obviously this was a king who honored God and was touched by this woman’s miracle story of God at work. Her land had been in his keeping during the famine and was restored to her. God was looking out for her all along and through her story of tragedy and renewed hope, He was glorified and magnified. 

The Bible does not promise that the Christian life will never have difficulty, challenges, pain, heartbreak or sorrow. But, the Bible is full of hope and comfort for us even in our sorrows. His desire is to bless us and grow us up into a mature spiritual relationship and deeper understanding of Him. We are encouraged to trust in a God who can use all the circumstances of our lives for His glory. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭112:7‬ ‭

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah‬ ‭26:3-4‬ ‭

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”  Psalms‬ ‭9:10‬ ‭