What Lies Beneath?

The first miracle that Elisha performed after parting the Jordan helped an entire city. It’s a fascinating story that can help you and I in our everyday lives.

The rulers of the region came to Elisha and said, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.” 2 Kings 2:19

Stop for a moment and think about this. The town was set in stunning surroundings. It seemed to have everything going for it. On the outside all looked well and yet there was a problem beneath the surface.

Scratch beneath the surface

That is so often our story. Everything seems well. To the outside world our lives may look picture perfect. Perhaps you are successful by most people’s standards. Maybe your marriage or family looks like a bed of roses. You may appear to have it all together. But beneath the surface there is another story of strain and sadness.

The temptation when we are struggling is to try to sort the symptoms. We are feeling wounded so we try to move on. We can’t handle family friction so we stay late at the office. We feel under-valued so we strive for success to prove our worth. We feel insecure in our relationships so we constantly seek reassurance.

The root

Elisha refused to tackle the symptoms in that city. He did not look at the barren ground or the polluted rivers flowing through the area. He went straight to the source:

“Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.” 2 Kings 2:21

I was chatting to the leaders of our marriage ministry yesterday. After many years of counselling, they believe that 90% of marriage problems are not rooted in the unhealed hurts of the past. They affect our outlook, beliefs & expectations. We end up seeing the words and actions of our loved ones through a damaged, contorted lens.

Looking beyond the symptoms

I don’t know what is happening in your life but I encourage you to ask God to go to the source of your issues. When we allow the Lord to go the roots of our problems, we don’t have to continually tackle bitter fruit. When we allow the Lord to go the cause of our inner turmoil, we won’t be constantly struggling with symptoms.

I come back again and again to the powerful prayer that Rebecca prayed in Genesis. She was pregnant but something didn’t feel right. We don’t know whether she was in pain or just feeling pressure. Perhaps she felt a churning within. We don’t know. However, she prayed a prayer that revealed the root of the issues:

“If all is well, why am I like this?” Genesis 25:22

God answered Rebecca’s prayer and showed her the root of her inner turmoil: she was carrying twins!

If you will follow in her footsteps and pray that prayer, you will be amazed what God will expose. Perhaps you are afraid of speaking publicly. Maybe you are constantly comparing yourself with others. You could have a sadness beneath the surface or be struggling in your relationships. Whatever the issue, ask God, “If all is well, then why am I like this?” He will reveal the root so that He can heal your heart.

That was my regular prayer for months as God did a deep work within me. He healed me of childhood hurts that I didn’t even know had affected my view of myself. He shone His light into my heart and showed me how rejection years earlier had made me insecure as an adult. As I opened up, He took me on an incredible journey that eventually led to inner contentment and genuine security. He healed my heart, my marriage, my life. What He has done for me, He is waiting and willing to do for you.

Journey to wholeness 

If you want to be free from inner issues so that you can fulfil your purpose, I encourage you to order one of my books: 30 Day Detox for your Soul or Lifting the Mask from Amazon. Also, come to Healed for Life, our transformational event that helps get you ready for your destiny. See jonaughton.com for details