As the last breath escaped his lips, she carefully stood and carried her small son up the stairs. Gently she laid his body on the man of God’s bed. With one last look back at the peaceful stillness on her beloved son’s face, she quietly shut the door. Her steps quickened as she reached the last step. She had to get to Elisha, the man who spoke on behalf of God.

Though questioning her actions, her husband quickly summoned the servant and donkey she requested. With no explanation, she rode toward Mount Carmel. Though 25 miles away, she had to get there. She could not accept the finality of her son’s death, not after Elisha had bestowed this blessing from God on them. Her little son had been the joy of their household. How could he be gone? She urged the donkey forward.

Drawing closer to her destination, she recognized Gehazi in the distance coming toward her. As the span between them closed, he called out “‘Is everything all right with you, your husband, and your child?’” “Yes,” the woman told Gehazi, “everything is fine.” (2 Kings 4:26 NLT) She would keep the boy’s death secret until she got to the man of God.

Reaching the mount, the Shunammite woman slid off the donkey, falling at Elisha’s feet. Gehazi stepped forward to move her away, but Elisha stopped him, seeing her distress. God, however, had not shared with him the source of her anguish. He waited quietly until she could speak.

Streams of tears flowed down her cheeks, as the words tumbled out. “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? And didn’t I say, ‘Don’t deceive me and get my hopes up’?” (2 Kings 4:28 NLT)

Though telling the events of the morning pained her, she was not without hope. Filled with grief, she had not turned her heart away from God. Knowing Elisha had access to God, she had come to him. Clinging to his presence, the Shunammite woman was essentially clinging to God. Her faith in the Lord was expressed by faith in God’s prophet.

Sending Gehazi ahead to her home with Elisha’s staff, Elisha and the Shunammite woman quickly followed, arriving soon after. Stepping into his room, Elisha softly closed the door. Sadness filled his heart as he looked at the boy with the staff across his body. There was no sign of life. Elisha knew he was not God, but he knew where power would come from. He started to pray. God led Elisha to stretch his warmth upon the boy, get up, walk, and pray. As he stretched himself upon the boy a second time, he distinctly heard a sneeze followed by six more. Joy filled his heart as he gazed into the little boy’s open eyes!

Being summoned to the upstairs room, the Shunammite again fell at Elisha’s feet – this time in joyful gratitude for God’s work through the prophet. She picked up her son. Again, God in His grace touched her heart and brought her son back to life.

The Shunammite woman knew she had to share her pain, yet she did not share it with just anyone. Knowing Elisha had access to God, she sought help from someone who would take her to God. To get help, though, she had to share her pain.

Reaching out in moments of crisis can be difficult. It takes courage to share your heart but wisdom to know who to share it with. As you share your burdens with a godly family member or friend, you find strength through their trust in God. As they lift your burdens to God in prayer, you find encouragement and strength through the trial. The same steps of faith taking you to godly counsel will be the steps that walk you through the trial as you trust God.

Reach out. Share your burden, seeking godly wisdom. Allow their faith to strengthen your faith as they take you to God’s throne in prayer. He will meet you in your need.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16