1 Kings 19:1-9a

1 Kings 19:1-9a

A Runaway Prophet

Introduction

Have you ever...

Felt sad, empty, or tearful

Felt worthless or guilty with self-blame

Had loss of interest or pleasure gained from activities

Had excessive Agitation or irritability

Decreased energy, fatigue, sleep disturbances (too few or too many hours)

Changes in appetite with weight loss or weight gain

Difficulty concentrating, thinking/speaking, or making decisions

Frequent thoughts of death or suicide”

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(“What Is Depression? Everything You Need to Know About This Mood Disorder” by Mayte Wali)

These are some of the common emotional and behavioral symptoms associated with depression.

What Is Depression?

Some feelings of sadness or fluctuations in mood are normal parts of the human experience. However, there are times when one’s mood can begin to interfere with daily life.

Depression is one example of what is known as a "mood disorder." This condition includes feelings of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness that do not go away on their own. It is common for people who are depressed to lose interest or have difficulty participating in many important aspects of life, including work, school, friendships, family...and social relationships.

[Additionally], depression is a common condition that impacts over 264 million people of all ages, races, and genders. Due to continued social stigma, access barriers, and lack of resources, it is estimated that only 15 - 24% of people receive treatment for depression in low- and middle-income regions of the world. When left unsupported, depression carries a high risk of significant disability and/or death by suicide.

To make things more complicated, depression can be difficult to understand and discuss, especially with friends and family. Those experiencing depression might feel lost, isolated, or worried about judgment from their peers. It is important to remember that depression is a real illness that warrants treatment and that managing it is possible.

Symptoms & Warning Signs

Depression is a very personal condition, which means symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Episodes of depression may be mild, moderate, or severe and can come and go or last for months or years at a time. For most people, the onset of depression is gradual; symptoms will begin subtly and then worsen over time.

These are some of the common emotional and behavioral symptoms associated with depression.

Feeling sad, empty, or tearful

Feeling worthless or guilty with self-blame

Loss of interest or pleasure gained from activities

Agitation or irritability

Decreased energy, fatigue, sleep disturbances (too few or too many hours)

Changes in appetite with weight loss or weight gain

Difficulty concentrating, thinking/speaking, or making decisions

Frequent thoughts of death or suicide”

“Elijah had just experienced a great victory. He was at the top of his game—the pinnacle of his career—but then he experienced a fall.

On Mt. Carmel, Elijah had seen God defeat the prophets of Baal. Queen Jezebel was livid. The prophets responsible for her daily worship experience were dead, and Elijah appeared to be the victor. However, someone should have taken a moment to look beyond the obvious and point to the One who really made things happen—the Lord God.

Instead of doing this, Elijah enjoyed the break in the action by reminding himself that he was the only one who had been faithful to God—a statement that smelled of pride.”

The aim of the message is to make us aware of depression & communicate that DEPRESSION is real! The purpose of the sermon is to help you get out of this place!

“Depression is discouragement on steroids.” (Dr. Tony Evans)

Elijah’s Fear (3-4a)

There is now a hit on Elijah’s Jezebel issued her decree. She would kill Elijah before sunset.

80 miles to Beersheba (3)

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Elijah’s Isolation (3b)

Elijah’s Discouragement (4)

“The Bible typically exposes the weakness of a man of God, for Elijah exhibited symptoms of manic depression, wishing for death, together with loss of appetite, an inability to manage and with excessive self-pity.” (Wiseman, D. J. (1993). 1 and 2 Kings: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 9, p. 183).

“His prayer has essentially suicidal thinking. Now he did not attempt suicide, but he has suicidal thinking -- the idea is the world would be better off without me which which is a lie. Suicide has you confused and false guilt. The world is not better off, the world is worse off when someone takes their life.”

Elijah’s Fatigue (5-8a)

“The Bible typically exposes the weakness of a man of God, for Elijah exhibited symptoms of manic depression, wishing for death, together with loss of appetite, an inability to manage and with excessive self-pity.” (Wiseman, D. J. (1993). 1 and 2 Kings: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 9, p. 183).

“Physical and emotional fatigue contribute to spiritual discouragement.”

The Meaning of Numbers:

The Number 40

Mentioning 146 times in Scripture, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation. During Moses' life he lived forty years in Egypt and forty years in the desert before God selected him to lead his people out of slavery.

Elijah’s Strength (8b-9a)

Instead of proving Elijah wrong, he provides for Elijah.

Elijah goes to Horeb, the Mount of God...to go into God’s Presence...this is where God wants you to go, and bring your depression with you!

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