Here are some questions to help you apply this Bible story to YOUR life.
Part 1 – What’s Your ‘But’?
2 Kings 5:1
- What’s on my resume?
- What characteristics or accomplishments am I expecting to shield me from some of life’s issues?
- What’s on my resume that I try to hide?
- How is the real me different from the image I project?
- What’s the “but” at the end of my resume?
Part 2 – Weather Alert
2 Kings 5:2-3
- What bad things have happened to me?
- How did I respond/react to them?
- Which of them am I still angry about?
- When has God used me to lead someone to His healing?
- When have I allowed life events/issues to cause me to doubt God’s goodness?
- How well am I doing my “job” at my job?
Part 3 – Simple vs. Complicated
2 Kings 5:4-6
- Whose permission am I seeking before I make the changes I know I need to make?
- What things am I continually repeating while expecting different results?
- Who in my life am I allowing to influence the direction I take? What am I gaining by doing this? What am I losing?
- In what area of my life am I bargaining? Instead, what do I need to surrender?
Part 4 – Poster Child
2 Kings 5:7
- What situation in my life am I expecting someone else to “fix”?
- On whom have I placed responsibility for my issues? What are the results?
- Who has placed responsibility for their issues on me?
- How does that make me feel?
Part 5 – Lights . . . Camera . . . DRAMA!
2 Kings 5:8-10
- Who is the Drama King/Queen in my world?
- Do I add drama or remove it from situations?
- Where is my comfort zone? When was it last expanded?
- Who am I trying to drag with me on my journey?
- Who do I believe needs to change in order for my life to be normal?
Part 6 – I Have to do What?!?
2 Kings 5:11-12
- What unmet expectations am I experiencing now? How do I need to adjust them?
- What methods am I questioning? Instead, what steps of obedience do I need to take?
- Where am I on my path to healing and recovery? In what areas have I gotten off course?
- What people on the journey do I feel superior to? Why?
- Whose Elisha am I?
- How do I need to change my words, attitudes, or actions to be sure I’m not in the spotlight – but God is?
Part 7 – A Real Friend
2 Kings 5:13-14
- Which of my friends are willing to get close enough to me to tell me the truth?
- Who in my life gives me a proper perspective about my situation?
- When was the last time I got honest with myself about myself?
- How many times am I willing to repeat the same basic steps in order to be healed?
- What does my desired outcome look like?
Part 8 – The Long Way Home
2 Kings 5:15
- Who is around me that God wants to witness my healing and recovery?
- Who am I pointing people to? Me? My Elisha? God?
- How much closer am I to God than when I began my journey?
- How does God want to use my “but”?
- What is God’s major goal in my situation?
© Rhonda Fleming, 2013