Combat depression and anxiety like Elijah

1 Kings 19:8 – And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

Elijah, the great man of God, had some very dark days, so dark that his anxiety, depression, and fear drove him to want to die. In the last devo, we looked at the first five points of God’s recovery plan for Elijah and today, we’ll look at the final five parts of the plan.

Six “the angel…touched him [again]…” (1 Kings 19:7). As you are processing your experiences and emotions during a bout with spiritual depression, expect it to likely not be an instant of healing and deliverance, but rather a process with multiple touches from God. 

Seven, he again “ate and drank” (1 Kings 19:8). To rebuild strength and stamina, continuing to develop healthy habits is crucial. 

Eight, he took a sabbatical for “forty days and forty nights” (1 Kings 19:8). Sometimes you need to simply stop all that you are doing and get a break before you completely break in a way you may never physically, mentally, or spiritually recover from. 

Nine, he went away to “Horeb, the mount of God” (1 Kings 19:8). Rather than running from your problems, during your sabbath times you must run to God, since He is your shield of protection and the source of your healing. Horeb (also called Mount Sinai) is where God met with His people in the Exodus, giving them the Ten Commandments.

Ten, God gives him “Elisha” (1 Kings 19:19) in the next scene. A trustworthy friend who humbly serves and lifts burdens can make all the difference, and Elisha is that very gift Elijah desperately needed to continue in his calling. 

Elijah was the greatest Old Testament prophet along with Moses. When the Bible says that he was like us, it also means that you are like him. God took care of him, and God wants to meet with you, care for you, and give yourself permission for self-care without wrongly thinking you are being selfish. The truth is, God often treats us better than we treat ourselves. 

Later we will even see God not only spared the life of this man who wanted to die but took him to Heaven before he ever tasted death. On one occasion, many years later, Elijah would come down with Moses to also see Jesus transfigured on a mountain (Matthew 17:3). Elijah, at times, despaired of his life but he could not have imagined the good and glory that God had planned for him. The same is true for you, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Which of the 10 aspects of God’s recovery plan would be most helpful to you?

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