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The Father's Business Podcast
The Father's Business Podcast
Devotional-It is Well Even When it is Not
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Holiday streets can sparkle while hearts feel heavy. We name that tension without flinching, tracing how joy and grief often share the same story—from the wonder of Jesus’ birth to the tears of families scarred by Herod’s violence. That honest frame sets the stage for a deeper exploration of shalom, the kind of peace that means wholeness when life is anything but simple.
We walk through the story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4, who welcomed Elisha, received an unasked-for promise, and then endured devastating loss. Her words—“It is well”—weren’t denial; they were a hard-won declaration that God’s presence holds when explanations don’t. She brings her anguish straight to the man of God, speaks her disappointment without filters, and refuses to let go. That pairing of lament and stubborn hope offers a roadmap for anyone carrying unanswered prayers, empty chairs at the table, or dreams that still feel out of reach.
Together we lean into a faith that doesn’t pretend, a hope that faces reality, and a peace that isn’t fragile. Whether you’re celebrating, grieving, or doing both at once, you’ll find language for honest prayer and a blessing to rest in the heart of Jehovah Shalom. If this conversation strengthens you, share it with someone who needs steadiness today, subscribe for more reflections, and leave a review so others can find their way to this space of hope.
The Father's Business was founded by Sylvia Gunter to encourage people to a deeper relationship with God. Thank you for listening to this devotional. As many are looking forward to this season with great joy, there are just as many who wish this holiday would pass quickly because it's just too painful. The same is true of the birth of Jesus. While Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men will savor fondly the joy of Jesus' birth and all the miraculous things that they saw occur. There were thousands of families in the surrounding area that will mark it as the anniversary of the horrific night that their young son was massacred by Herod. Great hope and great pain, all in the same story. In Second Kings four, eight through thirty six, there is a beautiful picture of hope in the midst of pain. Elisha longed to bless the Shunammite woman for her kindness. So he promised that in a year she would embrace a son. She protested, begging Elijah not to play games with her heart. She had longed for a son for such a long time and didn't want to go through the heartbreak of disappointment again. A year later she had a son, and he grew until one day he suddenly died. What do you do in those moments in your life when it feels like what was promised to you is taken away? The Shunammite woman asked for a donkey that she might run to the man of God. When her husband asked her why, she simply said, It is well. In Hebrew, it's one word, shalom, which means peace, health, welfare, security, safety, wholeness, and completion. All was not well. Her son, whom she never dreamed she would bear, and then miraculously had, was now dead. As she approached Elisha, his servant met her and asked her what she wanted. Again, all she said was, It is well. This was not a denial of the events or an attempt to give the right religious answer. It was a statement of hope and faith. All was not well, but it was still well. His servant 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. And then she said, Did I ask you for a son, my Lord? Didn't I tell you do not raise my hopes? I just love her response. She ran to her only hope, the man of God. But when she arrived, she didn't hold back on how she felt about the circumstances. Can't you hear it in her tone, what she's thinking? This was your idea in the first place. You invited me to hope, you invited me to dream of having a son, and then this has happened. I told you before you did it not to play games with me, and now I am bitterly disappointed. But even more amazing was her next phrase. In the midst of her bitter distress, she said to the man of God, As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you. As devastated as she felt, she continued to trust and hope because she knew regardless of what would occur, it is well. The Shunite woman's story has a happy ending. Her son was raised from the dead, but for many that is not the case. Despite praying, hoping, begging God for a miracle, dreaming, life circumstances have turned out differently than you expected, regardless of what this season holds for you. May you be like the Shunammite woman, able to be honest about the pain and to bring all of your pain and your distress to him. May you find a resting place in God who is your hope. You may not like what's happening. You may not understand what God is up to. He may never answer your question of why, but may you choose to receive the grace of God to be able to say, even if I don't get you, even if I don't understand, even if I don't like what I'm walking through, I can say it is well. May you be blessed this Christmas season in the heart of Jehovah Shalom, the God of it is well.
SPEAKER_00:This devotional is taken from strength to equal your days. This is our latest resource. It is a 365-day devotional. You can purchase a copy at www.thefathersbusiness.com. Thank you for listening to this devotional. You can find an archive of devotionals and other podcasts on our website. Also, this podcast is made possible through donations from people like you. To donate, click on the donate tab on our website. Again, our website is www.thefathersbusiness.com.
