A Strategy to Beat Depression

Sometimes characters in the Bible, like Elijah, seem larger than life – almost mythical. But today we will see Elijah’s humanity, how he got into a state of depression – and how he got out.

Everyone deals with depression. Much of the time it is situational, as in the case of Elijah.

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me be it ever so severely if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.
1 Kings 19:1-3a

This is the same guy who stood toe to toe with the evil King Ahab, had a showdown with 850 false prophets, raised a child from the dead, called down fire from Heaven! And now he’s depressed and running scared because of a threat from an evil queen?

How did Elijah (and how do we) become depressed? Well, here’s a sure-fire formula - the one that Elijah used:

      Wear yourself out.
      Elijah never took a break; so he didn’t have any reserves left to face the threat of Jezebel.  

      We, too, can get caught up in feeling like we have to do it all. When we’re worn out, it’s

      much easier to be depressed.

     Shut people out.
      Elijah sent his servant, his closest friend, away. The second step to depression is

      convincing ourselves that no one would understand us, and we don’t want to hear what

      they have to say anyway.

     Focus on the negative.

     “I’m no better than my ancestors. Look at all that’s wrong.” This was Elijah’s self-talk. When

      we’re worn out and isolated, whatever is wrong gets exaggerated and projected into an

      endless future. “No one cares about me. Things will never get better. It will always be like

      this.”

     Forget God.

     With all that Elijah saw in his life, he still didn’t trust that God would protect him from Jezebel.

     It’s easy to forget how faithful God has been in our lives. Forgetting God seals the deal on

     depression.

 

How do we stop that process? What’s God strategy to beat depression?

     God says to eat and rest.
      God sent an angel to Elijah to bring food and drink and tell him to rest; and Elijah was willing

      to do what the angel said. With the strength it brought, Elijah was able to walk on to the

      next place, where he could hear from God.

     We need to recognize God’s angels in our lives and give them permission to help us reach

     the next step.

     God replaces lies with truth.

“…And the word of the Lord came to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.
The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars,
and put your prophets to death with the sword.
I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
1 Kings 19:9-10

     Every lie that we believe is built on truth - that’s what makes it believable. Had Elijah been

     zealous? Yes. Had the Israelites done those things? Yes. Is Elijah the only one left? No. It

     only takes a small lie to creep into the truth and mess up our thinking. God corrects that lie

     when Elijah is strong enough to hear.

     God spoke in a still small voice to Elijah.
     God speaks the softest when we need to hear Him the most - because we have to be

     ready, and quiet, and listening.

     God refocused Elijah with His purpose.
     God told Elijah to get back to doing what he was created to do. Stop hanging around in

     caves and go anoint some people! And by the way – you’re not the only one left. There are

     7,000 others who have not bowed to Baal. They need your help.

Once we are rested and listening, refocusing on our purpose will break the chain of depression.

Elijah took steps, like we often do, that led him into depression.
But we, like him, can take the steps God has provided
to beat depression and restore our hearts, minds and purpose.

_____________________

Application Thoughts:

Are the steps toward depression present in your life today?
What lie do you struggle with?
When you take time to rest this week, think about how God has been faithful - remember those times he made a way for you.

 

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