Elijah Week 4 - Depression

Have you had something the happened in your life that had you riding on cloud 9 to only have life seemingly crash down all around you? And then you found yourself getting really down and out, beating yourself up, perhaps questioning life?

Elijah had single-handedly defeated all the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and now he receives word about some of the backlash. Victory now fades into the sense of defeat.

1 Kings 19:1-3 NLT

When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.

So what happened? Why did Elijah go from victory to defeat?

There are four things that stand out that led him to go from victory to defeat and these same four things can do the same to you.

Step 1 - Wear yourself out.

Elijah had been exhausted by the events of facing the prophets of Baal and then praying for rain. This probably drained him emotionally, spiritually, and as far as physically we read this in 1 Kings 18:46 NLT we read, Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.

Consider the historical figure John Wesley, who traveled tirelessly throughout his life preaching over 40,000 sermons. He pushed himself to the limit, often neglecting rest and self-care. However, it was said that he would take time intentionally to pray and recharge, sometimes sleeping only a few hours a night. His legacy teaches us the balance between diligence in our calling and the vital need for rest. Let us not wear ourselves out with the endless tasks but rather rejuvenate through connection with God.

There's a popular story of a hamster running on a wheel, endlessly spinning and getting nowhere. This little furry creature symbolizes how we can sometimes find ourselves running hard in life but making no real progress. The hamster might look busy and active, but he is also wearing himself out for no good reason. When we realize that we need to step off that wheel and prioritize our energy, we can start moving toward meaningful goals instead of simply running in circles!

Step 2 - Shut people out

1 Kings 19:3-4 NLT

He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

Elijah shut people out. He ran away to be all alone.

A young man who was raised in a loving family but began to shut himself away from them during his rebellious teenage years. He isolated himself, believing he didn’t need them anymore. As he sat alone in his room, he realized that this separation started to affect not just his family but his own heart. It’s a powerful reminder that shutting people out often leads to loneliness and regret, highlighting the importance of connection in our lives.

Have you ever heard of the 'Bumble Bee Theory'? Bumblebees are fascinating creatures who, despite their size, should not be able to fly according to aerodynamic principles. But they do! Much like our tendency to shut people out, these bees refuse to conform to the expected ways of isolation. Instead, they buzz around, bringing pollen from plant to plant. This serves as a fun reminder: when we let people into our lives, we can do amazing things together, breaking the barriers we may have mistakenly created!

Step 3 - Focus on the negative

Elijah focuses on the negative: I am no better than my ancestors who have already died. He gives up.

Vincent van Gogh, whose brilliance as an artist was overshadowed by his struggle with mental illness and self-doubt. Despite creating over 2,000 artworks, he was mainly criticized during his life. Focusing on his rejection, he sank deeper into despair, only finding posthumous recognition. This illustrates how focusing on negativity can blind us to our potential and the good that others see in us.

Eeyore is one of my favourite characters from Winnie the Pooh. He serves as a great example of focusing on the negative. Though he was always gloomy and lost his tail multiple times, his friends embraced him just the same. One day, Pooh said, 'Eeyore, being sad is a part of who you are, but it doesn’t mean we can't enjoy the sunny days together!' Pooh’s words remind us to be mindful of our negative thoughts, and let joy in, even when we feel down.

Step 4 - Forget God

Elijah in all the craziness forgot that it was God that provided for him and felt that he was now all alone to face whatever may come. Don’t we sometimes do that when are feeling down - we forget what God has already brought us through and give up on pushing through what we are currently facing?

In the early 1900s, a famous ship, the Titanic, set sail with promises of luxury and safety. Many onboard felt invincible, forgetting the warnings about icebergs. They sailed on, enjoying the journey but ignoring the potential danger.

In early 1900s New York, a famous inventor, Thomas Edison, was so wrapped up in his work that he forgot his own birthday! When he walked into his lab that day, his colleagues had arranged a surprise party. They were using a cake as an accessory to celebrate him only to find he was oblivious.

Just like those on the Titanic, or like Edison, do we sometimes forget about God amidst our busy lives, becoming swept up in our daily activities. We get so caught up in our daily lives we forget the presence of God in our daily lives and when the storms hit we forget that God could provide us with strength and peace.

God’s Prescription for Depression

1 - God says to eat and rest.

1 Kings 19:5-9 NLT

5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

7 Then the angel of the LORD came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.

A teacher once assigned her students an important project due the next day. One student, feeling overwhelmed, put in all-nighters trying to finish, while others took breaks and rested. The next day, the well-rested students presented projects that were creative and coherent, while the tired student mixed up their presentation with their laundry list. The moral? Rest fosters clarity of thought!

When we take a look at social media we discover that we often see people sharing the busyness of their lives and very rarely mentioning rest. One influencer decided to take sometime off. One week to recharge and humorously wrote about doing absolutely nothing for that week. By the end of the week she shared that her week of rest was more fulfilling than all of her busy days combined. Sometimes, stepping back is the best action we can take!

Mark Twain once quipped, "I never let schooling interfere with my education." He valued breaks throughout his writing retreats. Even a genius like Twain knew the importance of a mental pause. It reminds us that giving ourselves permission to rest can spark creativity and deeper understanding—essential for anyone, whether in school or working life!

2 - God replaces our lies with his truth

9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the LORD said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

Elijah believes he is the only one left and that he is all alone. God shares this with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:18 - 18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

Zacchaeus was a tax collector. He lived a life of deceit and greed, but one encounter with Jesus changed everything. As he climbed down from that tree, he replaced the lies of his past with the truth that he was loved and valued. In that moment, Christ altered his trajectory, transforming him from a thief to a giver. This demonstrates that God’s truth can replace our past deceptions, reshaping our identities into something beautiful.

The story of the Prodigal Son is a powerful illustration of how God replaces lies with truth. The young man believed he could find happiness in a life away from home, but in the end, he found emptiness. Upon returning, his father welcomed him with open arms, replacing his feelings of shame with love. This story aligns with our own experiences; God takes our brokenness and lies, gently transforming them into a life structured around His unconditional love and acceptance.

3 - God speaks in a still, small voice

1 Kings 19: 11-12 NLT

11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

One historical figure who exemplified the power of God’s still voice is Mother Teresa. In her profound service to the poor, she often spoke about the importance of silence. Stepping away from the noise of daily living allowed her to hear God’s call in the smallest acts of love. Reflect on how silence in your own life can facilitate a deeper connection with God, allowing His still, small voice to lead you in your journey.

During times and upheaval many sought God's guidance in prayer. One soldier recounted how he felt lost in the chaos until he found a secluded spot in the woods. There, amid the chaos, he heard a gentle reminder of peace. This moment of clarity revealed that God often speaks in quieter moments, guiding us in the midst of turmoil. Just as He spoke to that soldier, He speaks to us today in whispers of love and hope.

Maybe you find yourself like the rabbit named Hoppy. Hoppy was always hopping around, chasing every sound and distraction. But you see one day Hoppy found a quiet spot under a tree and sat still. As he listened carefully, he heard the gentle whisper of the wind telling him about the beauty of the world. Just like Hoppy, when we pause and listen, we can hear God’s still, small voice guiding us too.

4 - God gives us something to do

1 Kings 19:15-16 - 15 Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.

God gives Elijah something do. God has Elijah get back to doing what prophets do.

When I was a teenager I was given the task of building a bunch of new corrals with my grandfather. The first few days royally sucked. Grandpa was out at the farm shortly after 6:30 and ready to work, which meant I had to be ready to work as well. I was on summer holidays and wanted to just ‘chill out’. As the days, grew into weeks, I discovered something more. Grandpa shared wisdom and knowledge of building something properly. As we worked together, I learned responsibility, the value of hard work, and most importantly, the love embedded in those shared moments. God does the same with you and I. He gives us a task that strengthens our relationship with Him and helps us grow into who we are meant to be.

Elijah grew into everything he was meant to be. What became of Elijah? After he had gone about the business that God has tasked him with - doing what prophets do - we read this in 2 Kings.

2 Kings 2:11-12 NIV

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more.

Closing

God has a prescription for our depression.

1 - God says to eat and rest. God rested on the seventh day.

2 - God replaces our lies with his truth. Our identity is found in Him not the world.

3 - God speaks in a still, small voice. Take time to listen for it.

4 - God gives us something to do. Lean into God’s calling on your life.

If you feel that you suffer from depression, please reach out to someone. Don’t become a statistic. Depression is a very serious problem and we should seek medical attention if we believe we are suffering from depression. It’s ok to not be ok, but it’s not ok to stay that way.

Article 14 - Divine Healing in our Nazarene Articles of Faith reminds us -

We believe in the biblical doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe God heals through the means of medical science.