2021-11-08
1 Kings 19:11 NIV
Pursue a fresh awareness of God’s presence in your life. The third thing God did in dealing with Elijah’s depression was to tell him, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by” (v. 11 NIV). Next, we read: “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he…went out and stood at the mouth of the cave” (vv. 11-13 NIV).
That day God put on an impressive show with the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. But He wasn’t speaking to Elijah through any of these big things. What really got Elijah’s attention was the still, small voice – the gentle whisper. God usually speaks to us in stillness and quietness – not through some big dramatic demonstration of fire or power. He whispered, “Elijah, I’m still right here beside you.”
So if you’re feeling depressed, take your Bible and go to a serene, quiet place. Sit down, read the Scriptures, and get alone with God. Just let Him love you and speak to you. Let Him meet your needs and let yourself feel His presence. There is no more effective antidepressant than communication and fellowship with God. That’s what He means when He says to you, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).
Soul food: 1 Chr 12:23-15:29; John 9:1-12; Ps 15; Prov 25:21-22
2021-11-07
1 Kings 19:9 CEV
Tell God your frustrations. After being restored through proper food and rest, Elijah traveled for forty days. Then he went into a cave and spent the night. In the morning, the Lord asked him, “Why are you here?” Elijah answered: “I’ve always done my best to obey you. But your people have broken their solemn promise to you. They have torn down your altars and killed all your prophets, except me. And now they are even trying to kill me!” (v. 10 CEV). Elijah poured out all his feelings, and God allowed him to let off steam. He wasn’t shocked by Elijah’s complaints.
Sometimes it’s helpful to share your feelings with a trusted friend. It’s cathartic, a cleaning out, a venting of all the things that have been pushed down inside you that are contributing to your feelings of depression. And Elijah had plenty of stuff pushed down inside. Notice the emotions he experienced. He was afraid (v. 3 CEV). Then he felt resentment, followed by low self-esteem and guilt. “I’ve had enough….I’m no better off than my ancestors” (v. 4 CEV). He was angry because he had worked hard for nothing (See v. 10). He was lonely to the point of despair: “Now they are even trying to kill me!” (v. 10 CEV). He was worried.
When you combine fear, resentment, low self-esteem, guilt, anger, loneliness, and worry, you’re asking for depression! So God let him spill it all out. He said, “Elijah, what’s frustrating you? What’s eating you up?” and Elijah poured it all out. So when you are depressed, what you need to do is – take it to God in prayer.
Soul food: Exo 20:1-17; Matt 5:1-12
2021-11-06
1 Kings 19:7 NIV
Take care of your physical needs. Elijah was exhausted, so he stretched out under a tree and fell asleep. “All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again” (vv. 5-6 NIV). Then the angel came to him a second time and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you” (v. 7 NIV). So he ate and drank and was strengthened by the food.
You can exhaust yourself in a good cause and pray until you’re blue in the face, but it won’t do any good until you learn to exercise wisdom concerning the physical needs of your body. God’s initial remedy for Elijah’s depression called for a change of diet and proper rest. A good night’s sleep or a vacation does wonders for your attitude. Be wise; when you’re physically and mentally drained, you’re vulnerable.
Notice, God didn’t scold Elijah by saying, “You coward! What are you doing here in the desert?” No, He restored him physically. And that was the starting point. So if you’re depressed, your first step toward recovery may be to get in shape physically. Take care of your health needs. Perhaps you need to change your diet, get more sleep, or begin an exercise program. Physical health has a profound influence on your moods. Can God heal you in answer to prayer? Yes. (See James 5:14). But He expects you to use faith – and wisdom!
Soul food: 1 Chr 10:1-12:22; John 8:42-59; Ps 123; Prov 25:18-20
2021-11-05
Matthew 26:40 CEV
In Gethsemane, Jesus “came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, ‘Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak'” (vv. 40-41 CEV). Jesus was just hours from the cross, and He asked His disciples to pray for Him. Imagine His disappointment when He found them sleeping! Perhaps they didn’t get enough rest the night before. Maybe they were worn out from a hard day’s work.
We have all been victims of drowsiness, so we shouldn’t be surprised that they fell asleep, but we are! We’re shocked because it was such an important night. This night, more than any other, required the discipline of prayer. But the disciples missed a great opportunity to encourage and strengthen Jesus in His hour of need. They missed an opportunity to strengthen themselves as well.
Satan knows if he can keep you from prayer, you will be powerless. He is the master of distraction. Think how often he has robbed you of your quiet time with God by using things like TV, the telephone, the internet, a messy house, your to-do list, your wandering mind, your heavy eyelids. Your quiet time with God isn’t something you try to “fit into” your schedule; it must be something you prioritize, or it won’t happen. The King James Version says, “Pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (v. 41). You don’t know what each day holds, but through prayer and spending time in God’s Word, you can prepare your heart for whatever life throws at you.
Soul food: 1 Chr 7:20-9:44; John 8:31-41; Ps 30; Prov 25:13-17
2021-11-04
Hebrews 10:38 NKJV
A little boy in Sunday school heard the story of how Lot’s wife looked back toward Sodom and turned into a pillar of salt (See Genesis 19:26). “That’s nothing,” he said. “Last week when my mother was driving down the street, she looked back – and turned into a telephone pole!” Seriously, God says, “If anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Every pilot knows there is a point of no return. The runway has all been used up; it’s fly or die!
In Hebrews chapter eleven we find a list of ordinary people who in the worst of times refused to turn back. The Bible says: “If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:15-16 NLT).
Here’s the score: If you’re beginning your walk with God, Satan will use every trick in the book to get you off track. If you’re in the middle of your walk with God, he will try to tell you that your life doesn’t count. Don’t believe him; he’s a liar! And if you’re nearing the end of your walk with God, he will try to discourage you by highlighting all your faults and failures. Don’t buy what he’s selling! Instead, stand on this Scripture: “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV).
Soul food: 1 Chr 6:1-7:19; John 8:21-30; Ps 86; Prov 25:8-12
2021-11-03
Romans 1:12 NCV
Next time you walk in the woods, stop and think about what’s taking place right under your feet. As the roots of the trees connect with each other, they form a support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, and another to sunlight. No single tree has it all, but together they can grow, thrive, and withstand the storms of life. “Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love” (Ephesians 4:15-16 CEV).
Some of us independent types have difficulty with this concept. We want to fly solo – until we crash – then we realize our need for these: (1) Encouragement. Even Paul needed cheering on: “Everyone in Asia has turned against me, especially Phygelus and Hermogenes. I pray that the Lord will be kind to the family of Onesiphorus. He often cheered me up and wasn’t ashamed of me when I was put in jail. Then after he arrived in Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me” (2 Timothy 1:15-17 CEV).
(2) Sympathy. “Be sympathetic” (Colossians 3:12 GWT). We all need to be understood and have our feelings validated. But sometimes we’re in such a hurry to “fix” people, we don’t have time to sympathize with them.
(3) Grace. “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT). What motivates us to extend grace to others? God’s grace to us! You will never be asked to extend more grace to someone than God has already extended to you.
Soul food: 1 Chr 3-5; John 8:1-20; Ps 96; Prov 25:1-7
