In 2 Kings Chapter 4 we learn of a widow who has not only lost her husband, but also her provider, her source of income. In that day a woman had few options for earning a living, and this woman has two young sons to support. She shares her desperate situation with Elisha, along with the fact that her creditor is preparing to take her sons into servitude to work off her debt. This was allowed by law. Elisha asks her this question, “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” (2 Ki 4:2) While the widow has been focused on what she lacks, Elisha asks her to consider what she has that can be of help. She replies, “Your servant has nothing at all, except a small jar of olive oil.” Aha, there is something to work! Elisha instructs her to borrow as many empty jars as she can from her neighbors, which she does. She shuts herself and her sons in their home and begins pouring oil from the small jar she has into the empty jars. She pours and pours until every jar is full and there are no more to be filled. At that point the oil stops flowing. She can now sell the oil, pay off her creditor, and have enough to care for her family. From the small amount of oil she had, God met her needs. Don’t overlook what you have! God is waiting to provide for your needs when you recognize and offer him what you have.

Scriptures -2 Kings 4:1-7; Matthew 17:20; 2 Corinthians 4:7

Verses – “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mt 17:20) 

Thought – Feeling overwhelmed is not uncommon. You probably have multiple things going on in your life that have you feeling stressed, and you may have friends and family that are going through difficult situations and feel they are taxed beyond their limits. It’s easy to look at your situation and see only what is lacking. You may want more money, a different job, private school for the kids, better health, or a change in a relationship that has gone south. When life is stressed and resources are limited, it’s essential to look at what you have, rather than focusing on what you want. When you identify what you have and turn it over to God, He can abundantly and miraculously provide what you need.

Questions – How has God provided for you during stressful and trying times? What is most overwhelming to you now? What do you have that God can use to help you work through this situation? How do you refocus when you realize you are allowing stress factors to discourage you and drag you down? Who is your sounding board? For whom do you provide a sounding board? When someone needs help, are you truly willing to help or are those just the right words to say?

Response – Take time to calm yourself and evaluate any situation that is overwhelming you now. Ask God to help you see what you have that can be helpful in the situation. Give God what you have and be willing to do as he leads.

Prayer – Dear Lord, thank you for being my peace when there is no peace, for providing hope when hope is gone, and for renewing my strength and my vision when I feel all is lost. Help me to see my blessings, to be thankful for what I have, and to recognize the unlimited resources you provide when I trust all to you. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.