I Can’t Fix It – Week 4: I Can’t Fix the Present ©Arise Ministries, 2018 1

I Can’t Fix It Featuring

Pam Kanaly

Session 1: I Can’t Fix My Kids

Session 2: I Can’t Fix Others

Session 3: I Can’t Fix the Past

→ Session 4: I Can’t Fix the Present

To view the accompanying videos for this series,

go to www.AriseMinistries.net/icantfixit.html

This series is presented by Arise Ministries. More online Bible studies can be found at www.AriseMinistries.net

I Can’t Fix It – Week 4: I Can’t Fix the Present ©Arise Ministries, 2018 2

We’ve all faced situations in which we feel there is no foreseeable answer. Which of us hasn’t

been burdened at some time by our inability to fix a health concern, a relationship issue, a

parenting trial, or a financial disaster? Maybe you’re struggling to maintain perspective and

remember God’s goodness in the midst of your difficulty, or perhaps you’ve wrestled with the

pain of your present situation so long that you’re ready to give up. Each of us face trying

circumstances that threaten to destroy our peace of mind. How can we have hope in a God who

lets us struggle with no visible end in sight? What do we do while we wait for the storm to pass?

An Old Testament story offers some insight.

1. What circumstance are you currently facing that feels overwhelming and out of control?

How does it make you feel to know you’ve done all you can do to fix a situation, yet nothing

seems to change?

2. Read 2 Kings 4:1-8. Record the highlights of this passage as you read. Note the woman’s

struggle and how God finally rescued her.

I Can’t Fix It – Week 4: I Can’t Fix the Present ©Arise Ministries, 2018 3

3. What terrifying situation did the woman face? How do you think you would have felt in a

similar position?

In this series, we’ve been reminded of our inability to fix many situations. We can’t fix our

children. We can’t fix others. We can’t fix our past, and as you may be experiencing now, we

often can’t fix the present. We’ve all faced matters we want to fix. The passage in 2 Kings 4 tells

the story of a woman who faced a horrible circumstance—alone, desperate, and fearful. Losing

her children would cripple her present life. And in the culture of biblical times, with neither a

husband nor children to take care of her, it most likely would seal the fate of her future as a

beggar. Can you imagine the anxiety she must have felt? She was helpless in a “no-end-in-sight”

dilemma.

4. Record the dialogue between Elisha and the woman in 2 Kings 4:2. What did the woman say

she had? (Be specific.)

When our situation feels hopeless, we sometimes focus on what we don’t have, rather than

fixing our eyes on our current blessings. If we are lonely, we focus on the absence of a mate.

When money is short, we focus on all the material possessions we don’t have. A doctor’s grave

diagnosis shifts our focus to all the world says we are missing. Isn’t that how we respond to

present circumstances we can’t fix? “I have nothing. Everything is bad. Nothing is working out

right. Nothing will ever change. I’m all alone.”

The woman tells Elisha she has nothing…except a little oil. Did she consider that bit of oil so

insignificant that she mentioned it as a sarcastic afterthought? What could she do with just a

little oil? Better yet, what could God do with her little? As she would soon discover, God can

provide much when we bring what little we have and join Him where He is at work.

5. Read the following scriptures about facing trials. How are we encouraged to respond to

trials?

James 1:2-4

James 5:13

Romans 5:3-5

I Can’t Fix It – Week 4: I Can’t Fix the Present ©Arise Ministries, 2018 4

Sometimes we bring about difficulties as a result of poor choices Other times, the broken

nature of this world hurls the challenge on us. Both have potential to move us toward the

heart of the One who holds all of our days in His hands if we lift our eyes to Him.

Is it possible that more than we need our difficult circumstances to change, we need them to

change us? On the other side of struggle, everyone is changed. What if God is allowing us to

learn patience and dependence on Him, or what if He is building our capacity to have

immense compassion and empathy for others who are suffering? The struggle you are facing

right now may not change, but God can change your heart, which will give you the peace

you long for.

6. What does the Bible say about our weakness? How do these passages encourage you?

2 Corinthians 12:9

Romans 8:26

Hebrews 4:15-16

Return to 2 Kings 4:6. The woman obediently followed the prophet’s instructions to borrow jars,

go inside, and shut the door. Given the dire circumstances, do you sense her extreme obedience?

If it were your two children on the brink of being sold as slaves, would you have been as quick to

run around gathering your neighbor’s jars, hide out behind closed doors, and pour out the little

bit of oil you had? Or would you have been a bit more frantic and scrambled around begging

Elisha to intervene and fix your problem? She made the decision to JOIN God where He was at

work and BELIEVE He was the answer. Her flesh was weak and desperate, yet she trusted the

word of the prophet and followed in obedience.

So often we fight our circumstances and wrestle with the problems in front of us that we can’t

fix. We may have a little faith, a little hope, or a little trust remaining. How would obediently

putting our “little” to work enable God to multiply it for His purpose?

7. What is it you have “little” of (faith, trust, strength, etc.)? How can you offer this to God in

the midst of your struggle?

I Can’t Fix It – Week 4: I Can’t Fix the Present ©Arise Ministries, 2018 5

8. How did God meet the woman’s need when she offered her “little”? Read the final piece of

the story again in 2 Kings 4:5-7. How would you describe the resolution to this story?

9. Read Ephesians 3:20-21. Coupled with the story of the widow in 2 Kings, what hope do

these verses give you for enduring well in your present season of hardship?

10. The widow offered what she had, and God used it to meet her needs. Look back at your

response to the first question. Write a prayer asking God to help you BELIEVE Him as you

wait for Him to bring you out of this season.

I Can’t Fix It – Week 4: I Can’t Fix the Present ©Arise Ministries, 2018 6

Notes for Small Group Discussion:

1. Briefly share your thoughts on the video.

2. Briefly talk about spiritual concepts you learned.

3. Share with your group a choice you need to make that will honor God.

4. Consider practical ways to find accountability with these truths.

To share your thoughts regarding this study, contact us at info@ariseministries.net.

No part of this study may be copied or distributed in conjunction with any another work or compilation. It may not

be posted on any other website. Links to this document should be made directly to www.ariseministries.net. Please

contact us if you are interested in offering this study to a large group and we would be happy to assist you.

PAM KANALY

Video Content Author

Pam is the co-founder of Arise Ministries and one America’s

leading advocates for single mothers raising children. She is

the author of The Single Mother and Her Rollercoaster

Emotions. As a former Bible teacher and national television

talk-show cohost, Pam thrives in empowering and equipping

women to live life with intentional purpose in what truly

matters. Learn more from Pam at www.AriseMinistries.net and

www.PamKanaly.com

KIM HEINECKE

Study Guide Author

Kim serves as the Director of Operations with Arise Ministries

and coordinates the online Bible study content. As a former

single mom, she uses her life experiences and personal

spiritual growth through studying God’s Word to encourage

women. Kim writes for www.AriseMinistries.net and for her

personal website The Mom Experiment.