The Old Testament doesn’t usually make the top 10 list of self-help books, and the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath is not where most people would look for a way through their stress. But the story takes place during a drought, and being stressed out is a lot like living in a drought.
The widow of Zarephath is gathering firewood near her village gates and runs into Elijah, who asks for something to eat and to drink. She has just enough for one last meal for her and her son. But Elijah says, “The jar of flour will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” (1 Kings 17: 14)
The widow finds that in preparing another meal for Elijah she is given enough flour and oil for many days. I pray that you trust God’s promise to provide flour and oil enough that you go out and share all that you have with someone in need.
This message is adapted from “Faith reflections: Stress-free: Keeping your spirit flexible” written by Sonja Hagander that first appeared in the April 2007 issue of Cafe magazine. Today is the third Sunday of Easter. The readings are Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35.
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