Have you ever wanted something but were afraid that if you got it: you might lose it? I’m not talking about material things as much as other things like children, a better job, education, or even love. The list is far too numerous for me to imagine.

In 2 Kings 4, we read about the prophet Elisha and the Shunammite woman. If you are not familiar with this story, I invite you to read about it here (2 Kings 4:8-37).

Whenever Elisha would travel to Shunem, he’d stop by the Shunammite woman’s house for a meal. As a way of blessing and honoring a man of God, the woman and her husband made a small room on the roof of their house so Elisha could stop and rest when he came by. One day, Elisha decides to do something for the woman to bless her and her husband. However, when he asks her what she would like, she professes to not need anything. When Elisha asks his servant, Gehazi, “What can be done for her?” Gehazi tells him that she doesn’t have a son and her husband is old (2 Kings 4:14). In other words, she was barren, so Elisha calls her in and tells her:

“About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”

“No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”

2 Kings 4:16 (NIV)

The Shunammite woman had often hoped and dreamed of a son, and the lack of one brought feelings of shame and inadequacy. After trying for so many years, she had given up the hope of ever having a child. I think the Shunammite woman had accepted that she would never have a son. So, when Elisha told her she would have a son, it was anything but a potential blessing. Instead, she was likely filled with feelings of dread.

Sometimes we come to terms with not having some of the things we might want in life. Perhaps we may tell ourselves things like, “It’s not God’s will.” We might even think that, for some reason, we’re not “good enough” for whatever it might be. Maybe we aren’t having children because we wouldn’t be good parents? Perhaps we’ve not found the right person because we’re unlovable? There are as many “answers” to the “Whys?” in our heads as there are stars in the sky.

The Shunammite woman had her son, as Elisha prophesied. After many years, the boy becomes ill and dies. Immediately, the Shunammite woman gathers her servants and some donkeys and heads out to Mount Carmel, seeking Elisha. When she gets to Mount Carmel, we see that the dread she had all those years ago, before she had her son, had never left.

“Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”

2 Kings 4:28 (NIV)

When Elisha returns with the Shunammite woman to her home, the woman’s son is brought back to life.

There’s an expression that describes the state of waiting for something to happen. It’s called “waiting for the other shoe to drop.” This expression comes from people living in New York City in the late 19th century. When they heard their neighbors in the apartment above them taking off their clothes at night, one shoe would drop to the floor and then the other. They would wait for the next shoe to fall. Having lived many years in apartments, I don’t see this expression as waiting for something good to happen.

There are lots of potential problems with anticipation. For some, it can be a good thing, while it can be dreadful for others. Anticipation used to bring up anxiety in me. Waiting in dread for something to happen means that you’re not focusing on what’s happening now with the attention it deserves. If you live your life in fear of what might happen, you’re not living your best life. You’re certainly not living a life with the quality that God wants you to have.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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