Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. (2 Kings 6:1-4)
I love the response of the prophet in this passage. When faced with this expression of frustration, he could have easily taken it personally. He could have seen it as a slight on his oversight and leadership. He could have got defensive of his choice of dwelling and started enumerating the reasons why he felt it was perfectly adequate for the task. He could have tried to turn things around and suggested that there was a bad attitude or source of bitterness in the motivation behind the request. But he doesn't. He recognises a genuine frustration borne out of a desire to do greater things for God and he does all he can to help.
Sadly, there are many times where poorly-articulated frustration from those being led meets with insecurity in those leading and the results are not as pretty. There needs to be wisdom, both in the way we articulate our frustrations and in the way we respond to the frustration of others. Not all frustration originates from the flesh. Sometimes it is a stirring of the Spirit to provoke us not to settle in the small place.
Haven't we all felt at times like the place we are in is too small for us?
