Elijah's darkest hour....a prophets battle with depression

The storms of life are just that...storms...they will pass by :)

On Tuesday I touched on a subject that many people have to deal with every day. Depression. A lot are good at masking what is really going on inside of their heads. And for anyone who is doing this, they know that it is very tiring trying to keep a happy face, positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life. I also noted that I once wrote about the prophet Elijah and his battle with depression. I had the opportunity to preach about this at a couple of United Churches in the South Western Ontario area. I wasn't really sure of how they would receive me ( having a Pentecostal background) – but you know what, God was faithful – both congregations were loving and generous. And I felt very welcomed.

Anyways, here is the outline – I encourage you to read 1 Kings Chapters 17 – 19 to get the full picture of this outline. I originally wrote this back in 2007 - before the recession.

Proverbs 18:14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?

What a time we are living in. Things are happening all around us, and it appears as if the ordinary person can do nothing to stop or even slow down what is happening. Jobs are being lost at an incredible rate, especially here in Ontario. We have been told be several economic forecasters to hold on – this ride is going to be a rough one.

Add this to the normal everyday circumstances and you may be wondering – “How much more can I endour?”

It is one thing to get sick, a cold or a broken arm/leg, it is another to have your spirit crushed. Proverbs 18:14 talks of this very thing.

“the human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?” this question is not a rhetorical one, it is asking you – how much can you stand? Well let me tell you of a man in the Old Testament, who was going through a very tough time as well.

This takes place in 1 Kings Chapters 17 through 19.

Elijah the prophet had the following happen to him:

1. 3.5 years of running & hiding. (A very lonely time with loss of relationships).

2. Nobody liked him. His reputation was destroyed.

3. The emotional face off with Ahab, the prophets and the children of Israel. Elijah was on one side and everyone else was on the other side. When he asked – If Baal is god, serve him, If the God of Israel is your God – serve Him….and the answer the people gave him was this....….silence Elijah stood alone against the crowd.

4. Elijah slays the prophets (no small emotional trauma).

5. He runs over six miles back to the city. (great fatigue).

6. He hears that Jezebel wants to kill him. "What's the use?" enters into his mind.

7. He had emotions of frustration and anger.

8. He had emotions of self pity.

9. He wanted God to kill him – he had sunk into depression.

What was God's reaction to Elijah? ...The Lord uses Bold & powerful ways to reveal himself to us.... But often He reveals Himself through quiet & subtle means.

• It is a mistake to just expect the miraculous.

What can we do about worry?

Worry

90 % never happens

6% you can't do anything about

4% happens

Changes we can make

- Have you had and unfair situation or have you been hurt...how did you respond to that? Our reaction to an event is just as important as the event itself. Ask God to help you forgive.

- begin to listen to some good wholesome music with Christ centred lyrics.

- Don't watch so much T.V. ...I once hear that the 4 main reasons of depression in the U.S.A. are...ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) ….a little humour

- Go help some one else - it eliminates self pity. The other person is probably worse off than you are.

- Put some laughter in your life

• Begin a program of reading your Bible. Mark all the promises you read.

Jn 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Phil. 4:6,7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I know this is just an outline – but it has a lot of meat to it when you read it with the corresponding Bible chapters.

Have a great day friends !