Relentless Pursuit: Finding Hope in Brokenness
Summary
In moments when life feels lifeless or hope seems lost, it’s easy to slip into passivity or denial. But God calls for a passionate, honest pursuit of His presence, especially when facing dead places in our lives. The story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4 reminds us that pretending everything is “all right” when it isn’t only delays healing. True transformation begins with honest acknowledgment of our pain, our disappointments, and our brokenness—bringing them before the God who is able to restore.
Many of us are tempted to mask our struggles, whether it’s personal pain, marital discord, or concern for our children. Culture often pressures us to keep up appearances, but God invites us to bring our real selves—our doubts, our grief, our confusion—directly to Him. The Shunammite woman’s journey to Elisha, even as she denied her pain to others, ultimately led her to fall at the prophet’s feet and pour out her heart. This is a model for us: don’t let anyone or anything push you away from the place of encounter with God. Block out the voices that would keep you from your miracle, and be relentless in your pursuit of God’s presence.
Sometimes, after all our efforts—prayer, fasting, doing the right things—nothing seems to change. The temptation is to give up or to look for signs of life in our circumstances. But faith is not about seeing immediate results; it’s about trusting the Author of life, even when the situation appears unchanged. God often works behind closed doors, in ways we don’t understand and might even find uncomfortable if we saw them. Our role is not to control or even to comprehend, but to trust that God is working all things together for our good, even when we can’t see it.
Key Takeaways
- Honesty with God is the starting point for healing. Pretending that everything is “all right” when it isn’t only prolongs our pain. God doesn’t need our false bravado; He desires our vulnerability, our willingness to bring our brokenness into His presence so He can begin the work of restoration. [13:41]
- The pressure to appear “fine” is powerful, but spiritual breakthrough requires us to confront the truth about our lives, relationships, and families. Acknowledging our struggles is not a lack of faith—it’s the first step toward inviting God into the places that need resurrection. [18:21]
- Determination in seeking God’s presence is essential. There will always be people or circumstances that try to push us away from our miracle, but we must be relentless, blocking out distractions and refusing to settle for anything less than God’s intervention. [19:23]
- Faith is not measured by immediate results. Sometimes, after all our spiritual disciplines and efforts, nothing seems to change. In those moments, we must reorient our faith—not to the signs of life, but to the Author of life, trusting that God is at work even when we can’t see it. [22:20]
- God often works behind closed doors, in ways that are hidden from us and might even offend our sensibilities if we saw them. Our need for control and understanding must give way to trust, knowing that God is orchestrating things for our good, even when His methods are mysterious. [25:37]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[12:23] - The Call to Passion and Action
[12:47] - The Temptation to Passivity
[13:25] - The Danger of Denial
[13:54] - Approaching God with Honesty
[14:10] - Three Questions for Self-Examination
[15:17] - The Reality of Our Struggles
[16:07] - Marital and Relational Truths
[17:32] - Concerns for Our Children
[18:21] - The Power of Acknowledgment
[18:43] - Pressing Through Opposition
[19:41] - Honest Prayer and Lament
[20:23] - Relentless Pursuit of God’s Presence
[21:29] - When Nothing Changes
[22:54] - God Works Behind Closed Doors
[24:08] - The Mystery of God’s Methods
[25:37] - Trusting God’s Hidden Work
[26:32] - Responding in Faith and Trust
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide
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### Bible Reading
2 Kings 4:18-37
(The story of the Shunammite woman, her son’s death, and Elisha’s role in his restoration.)
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### Observation Questions
1. When the Shunammite woman’s son died, how did she respond to her husband and to Elisha’s servant? What did she say, and what did she do? ([13:25])
2. What did Elisha do when he arrived at the house and found the child dead? What actions did he take, and who was allowed in the room? ([22:54])
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the real-life struggles people often try to hide or deny? ([15:17])
4. What was Gehazi’s reaction when the woman fell at Elisha’s feet, and how did Elisha respond? ([18:43])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Shunammite woman told others “everything is fine” when it clearly wasn’t? What does this reveal about how people handle pain or disappointment? ([13:25])
2. The sermon says, “Honesty with God is the starting point for healing.” Why is it so hard to be honest with God and others about our struggles? ([13:41])
3. Elisha shut the door and worked in private to restore the child. What might this say about how God sometimes works in our lives—especially when we can’t see or understand what He’s doing? ([22:54])
4. The woman was determined not to leave without Elisha’s presence. What does her determination teach us about seeking God, especially when we feel desperate or hopeless? ([20:23])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon points out that pretending everything is “all right” only delays healing. Is there an area in your life right now where you’ve been pretending or hiding your pain? What would it look like to be honest about it with God or someone you trust? ([13:41])
2. The pressure to appear “fine” is strong in our culture. Can you think of a time when you felt you had to keep up appearances, even though you were struggling? How did that affect you? ([18:21])
3. The Shunammite woman blocked out distractions and people who tried to push her away from her miracle. Are there voices or influences in your life right now that are keeping you from pursuing God’s presence? What steps could you take to “block them out”? ([19:23])
4. Sometimes, after praying and doing all the “right things,” nothing seems to change. How do you usually respond in those moments? What would it look like to reorient your faith toward the Author of life, rather than just looking for immediate results? ([22:20])
5. God often works “behind closed doors,” in ways we don’t see or understand. Is there a situation in your life where you need to let go of control and trust that God is working, even if you don’t see it? What makes that hard for you? ([25:37])
6. The sermon encourages relentless pursuit of God’s presence. What is one practical way you can be more intentional about seeking God this week, even if you feel discouraged or tired? ([20:23])
7. The Shunammite woman brought her brokenness to God, not just her strength. What would it look like for you to bring your real, vulnerable self to God in prayer this week? ([13:41])
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Devotional
Day 1: Honesty Before God Brings Healing, Not Denial
When life brings trauma or loss, it is tempting to hide behind polite words or pretend that everything is fine, but true healing begins when you honestly acknowledge your pain and bring it before God. Denial or false positivity only deepens the wound, but God invites you to come as you are, with all your brokenness, so He can begin the work of restoration in your life. There is no need to medicate your soul with falsehood; instead, let your honesty be the first step toward wholeness. [13:41]
2 Kings 4:23-26 (ESV)
And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” And when the donkey had saddled, she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.”
Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to say “I’m fine” when you’re really not? What would it look like to bring that honest pain to God today?
Day 2: Determined Faith Refuses to Be Deterred
There will always be voices—sometimes even close friends or family—who try to push you away from your miracle or discourage your pursuit of God’s presence, but determined faith blocks out the noise and refuses to let go until God moves. When you are desperate for breakthrough, you must be willing to press past the opinions and resistance of others, holding on to God’s promises with a tenacity that will not be denied. Don’t let anyone or anything stand between you and the encounter with God that you need. [19:23]
2 Kings 4:27-30 (ESV)
And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her.
Reflection: Who or what in your life is trying to push you away from God’s promises? How can you take a stand of determined faith today?
Day 3: Trust God’s Process Even When You Don’t See Results
Sometimes, despite your prayers, fasting, and faithful actions, nothing seems to change—your situation remains dead, and hope feels lost. In these moments, God calls you to shift your focus from looking for immediate signs of life to trusting the Author of life Himself. Faith is not about seeing instant results but about believing that God is working, even when you can’t see it, and holding on to Him through the silence and the waiting. [22:42]
2 Kings 4:31-32 (ESV)
Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.” When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you’ve been praying and nothing seems to change? How can you choose to trust God’s process today, even without visible results?
Day 4: Make Room for God Alone—Let Go of Control
God often works behind closed doors, in ways you cannot see or understand, because His methods might offend your expectations or challenge your desire for control. When you make space for God—giving Him the privacy and authority to move as He wills—you learn to surrender your need to oversee every detail and instead trust that He is working all things together for your good. Let God be the only one in the room, and watch Him do what only He can do. [23:53]
2 Kings 4:33-34 (ESV)
So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to let go of control? How can you intentionally make room for God to work in that area today?
Day 5: God Is Working Even When You Don’t Understand
God’s ways are often mysterious and beyond your comprehension, but even when you don’t see, feel, or understand what He is doing, He is still at work. He specializes in bringing life to dead places, orchestrating every detail for your good, and moving in power behind the scenes. Your role is not to figure out how He will do it, but to trust that He is faithful and to stand in expectation that He is working all things together for your good. [26:08]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Reflection: Where do you need to remind yourself today that God is working, even if you can’t see or feel it? What would it look like to trust Him in that place?
Quotes
If you're sick and tired of looking at something dead in your life, please don't just sit there. Please just don't watch me. But I wish somebody would stand up on your feet, throw your head back in the air, and say, "Tonight. It's my night." Because everything is going to conspire for you to be passive. [00:12:10]
When you have a trauma that occurs in your life and something dies, you don't need to medicate it with falseeness. You need to acknowledge it and say, "This is not good and bring it before the God who is good." [00:13:31]
Do you listen? Mental illness amongst women is on the rise. One in five women, 19% experience a common mental disorder such as anxiety or depression compared with one in eight men. A quarter of young women, maybe even in this room, 25.7% have selfharmed more than twice the rate of young men. [00:14:44]
There is a situation happening in our culture where we're not all right. So, can I ask you today? You're single, never married. Are you all right? Are you single after your second divorce? Are you all right? To the person that had an abortion and Mother's Day plagued you last week, are you all right? [00:15:17]
Are you all right, entrepreneur who invested your money and still haven't gotten a yield? Are you all right? Are you all right? The person in here today that's uncomfortable with your body fat and you feel so insecure every time you walk around beautiful people in this beautiful county called Sonoma. Are you really all right? [00:15:46]
It shows that studies tell us that people who've been married for three or four years are 34% more likely to report feelings of not having love than when they first started according to the Association of Psych Psychological Science. So, is it all right with your spouse tonight? [00:16:05]
Maybe the real person in your family that's the bread winner is you. and he doesn't honor you even though you're the one that's bringing more money into the house and he feels insecure. Are you all right? Perfect couple that comes to Promise Center every Sunday that everybody wants to be like, "But if we put a little Wikileaks microphone in your SUV as you're driving home, nobody would want to be with you." [00:16:29]
Is it all right for the husband that doesn't help with the kids and not affection anymore? Is it all right with the husband that doesn't give you the glance of affection that he did when you were just fiances? Is it all right with the husband that you're praying for, miss whoever? Fill in the blank. [00:16:57]
Is it all right with you and your children when looking specifically at parents who are practicing Christians, self-identified Christians who have attended a worship service within the past month strongly agree that their faith is very important to their life, but half of them say they're very concerned about their kids' trajectory. [00:17:35]
Because here in the scripture, this woman lied. And what I'm trying to get you tonight to do is not lie about where you are spiritually, relationally, financially, or emotionally. Because if you could get honest, you're not denying. You're just acknowledging the parts of you that are fractured so that you can bring it to God who can put it back together. [00:18:12]
Don't you ever let somebody push you out of your way of your miracle. Don't you ever let somebody step into it. You got to block some people out. You got to pivot your body. You got to be so determined that you won't let I'mma relapse again. [00:19:21]
She said, "I'm not going back to the place I built for a miracle unless you come inhabiting." I wish I wish I had some people on Big Wednesday that says, "I'm not getting back in my SUV. I'm not getting in my Tesla. I'm not getting in my car. I'm not getting on a bus and I'm not going home unless I bring the power and the presence and the goodness of God back into my apartment, back into my neighborhood, back into my house, back into my career, back into" [00:20:44]
How many of us have gone through a four-week sermon series, but your marriage is still dead? How many of us have done 21 days of prayer and fasting in January? Almost lose your salvation. See y'all all lying right now. Go through 21 days of prayer trying to get something. At the end of the 21 days, nothing changes. [00:21:46]
Can I tell you today we have to reorient our faith. We don't always have to look for a sign of life. We have to look to the author of life. [00:22:36]
Because when you build a guest room for God, you can't turn it into a studio apartment. It's only room for him. And God likes to walk into situations alone. And God sometimes like to shut the door. And our tendency is wanting to watch how God works things out cuz we are control freaks. [00:23:10]
The reason why God closes the door sometimes is because if you saw how he was working out your marriage, if you saw how he was working out your finances, if you saw the way that he was working in your habit, you would be so offended. You'd be so cring. That's why God doesn't show you everything. Because even when you don't see it, he's working. Even when you don't feel it, he's working. Even when you don't understand, he's working. He works all things together for my good. [00:25:42]
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