Depression

I Kings 19:1-18 (KJV) Says "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also,, if I take not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under the juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and behold, there was a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to  him, and He said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very Jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets, with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And He said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord, And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way too the wilderness of Damascus; and when thou comest; anoint Hazael to be King over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him."

During the holiday season depression proves to be common among many. People become depressed for various reasons, missing a loved one who has gone home to be with the Lord, financial difficulties, job loss, broken relationships, and the list goes on and on. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. In the above scripture we see that even Elijah one of the greatest of the prophets experienced many symptoms of depression. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life, he had suicidal tendencies, he was extremely tired, and was struggling with feelings of rejection. He remained in this state for nearly two months.

Just a few days before becoming depressed Elijah had preached a great sermon. He had confronted 400 prophets of Baal, and exposed them as the false prophets that they were. God sent fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice that Elijah offered, and sent rain down in that area for the first time in three years because of Elijah's faith and obedience. After all of this, however, Elijah finds himself experiencing fear, hopelessness and despair. He runs to a desolate corner of the world desiring to die.
There could be any number of reasons for Elijah's depression, but the point is even he was susceptible to depression.

Notice that God didn't come down and lecture Elijah or make light of his condition. He didn't say something like snap out of it, get up, or get over it, but rather allows Elijah time to rest and to think. God doesn't say a word. He allows Elijah time to sleep, then He has angels feed him, allows him to sleep some more, and has the angels feed him yet again.

After Elijah has had plenty of rest and has eaten, then God begins to deal with his depression. Notice  God takes Elijah's depression seriously in no way making light of it. God knows Elijah's suffering from a condition that is real. Rather than lecture Elijah, God deals with him kindly and gently. The first thing the Lord has him to do is go to Mt. Horeb where he spends time talking with God. When, we are feeling depressed finding a quiet place to pray, and read God's word can be very beneficial. If you're feeling down, get some alone time with God.

Secondly, God got Elijah to tell Him what the problem was. God already knew, but He was aware that Elijah having the opportunity to discuss what was troubling him would be therapeutic for him.  

Thirdly, God dealt with the false belief's that where running around in his head. God corrects Elijah's thinking. He tells him that he is not the only prophet left and that in fact  he has set aside 7,000 more in Israel who have not bowed to Baal. Elijah had fallen into a negative, woe is me way of thinking, and that is typical of people suffering from depression. God talks with him, and he is then able to let those negative thoughts go recognizing them for what they are, and that is lies from Satan.

Lastly, God puts Elijah back to work, giving him tasks that He desires for him to complete. God knows we are only human, and He understands far more than we give Him credit for understanding. He knew exactly what Elijah needed, and He made certain He gave it to him. Elijah was exhausted, hungry, lonely, convinced he was the only prophet left alive, and he was anxious and running in fear. Most if not all of us have experienced this type of despair at one time or another in our lives.

The next time depression begins to creep in on you get some rest, and make sure you are not allowing yourself to go hungry. Lacking in these two areas alone can open the door for a spiral into despair. Once you are rested and have nourishment in your body you will begin to think more clearly. You can then get out and attend Church. Attending Church, and hearing the Word of God is food for your Spirit. It is uplifting, and you also gain fellowship which prevents you from feeling lonely. Now that you're back in balance you're prepared to press forward in whatever work God has planned for you. Never allow yourself to become to hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. If you feel your depression is to deep to deal with without the help of a professional physician, then seek help remembering there is no shame in becoming depressed, and that most if not all of us go through it at one time or another.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.