Depression and God

“I Kings 19:4 “I’ve had enough,” he told the Lord. “Take my life, I’ve got to die sometime, and it might as well be now.”
Elijah spoke these words? I have felt like this through out my life, over and over. It is said that discouragement sets in after great spiritual experiences. The high and the low. Emotional turmoil.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul….Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowned thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.” Psalm 103:4

Unfortunately, once I have fallen into my destructive hole, I cannot see the light. These words seem out of my reach and I wallow in the mire at the bottom of my excavation. How do we look up and see the rescue rope that the Lord is dangling at our reach? How do we see the light that shines from the face of God?

God sent an angel with food and drink for Elijah to refresh him after he slept. Then he spoke to God and heard that God still had work for him to do.

You have a purpose! God is leading us out in a new direction and with goals in mind to overcome. Think positive, be thankful that God loves you so much that He takes the time to refresh us us and lead us on. Take hold of the rope and allow God to pull you up out of the depths of depression.  Reading the bible, getting out for some air, rest and refreshment, all of these can help but you have to move. Standing at the bottom of a hole, alone, will not work. Just move, physically move.

What put Elijah into this emotional disturbance? Somehow I thought these prophets of God were devoid of earthly emotions! God has been hiding his Blessings inside discouragement for ages. This made the inner intensity of our souls even stronger.

He killed the prophets of Baal. (I Kings 19: 40) Ahab told Elijah, “By this time tomorrow night, ‘I am going to kill you.'”

An altar had been built and Elijah asked God for a sign of the most Holy to prove that Elijah was being led by God, and God showed a sign.
Elijah had told the truth, the only truth. Now he was being led to despair?

In the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, Jesus teaches us us that people that persecute us for being disciples of God will be difficult at times. This is being persecuted for the Christian way of life because it takes our eyes off earthly rewards, strips away superficial beliefs, it strengthens the faith of those who endure, and it serves as an example to others who may follow us.

It shows that we are being faithful!

We should be the salt and light. Season this bland world and let your light shine like the city on the hill. (Matthew 5:14)

Having faith that God will protect His children is giving your life to God.

Having depression, despair, being trodden and forsaken gives us a chance to forsake all and give our selves to God. We must give it all to the Lord, and He will lift us up.

Luke 9:23 “Then He said to all,’Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day, and keep close me!’”

When we have given our best and then it all falls apart, when we have reached our wits end, it gives us a chance to stop and listen to God’s next command.

“What do I do now Lord?”
Listen for the answer.
God be with you now and forever.
Be happy in His presence.
Be joyful in His amazing Love!

In Christ,
Sandra L Todd