In a world with more than 7.674 billion people, we see more and more isolated people. And being isolated is not always about having or not having someone around you. This is often related to how you are feeling, with the impression of not having anyone to trust, to count on, or even feeling like you need to keep a mask of happiness all the time. Maybe you who are reading this text right now are feeling this way and I want to tell you right away: you are not alone!
It is not easy to talk about, but it is necessary
Honestly, today it is not easy to write this reflection, not because I have nothing to talk about, but because I have seen many times Christians disdaining when the subject is mental health by considering anxiety, depression and other mental disorders as a lack of God. So before I say anything, I want to remind you that our bodies and minds are complex and that even God-fearing people with their stories portrayed in the Bible have faced such difficulties.
Elijah and Depression
while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 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. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.
1 Kings 19:4-9
Elijah, like many, faced difficult moments, he became so depressed that he wanted to put an end to his own life, even asking God for it: “It is enough; take my soul now, O Lord”. At this time, Israel was in a sad situation, because Ahab was a spiritually weak king, and dominated by his wife, Jezebel, who had introduced the worship of the false god Baal.
Elijah had a ministry of judgment. His faith had been tested on Mount Carmel, from which he emerged victorious. He was a giant in prayer. But Queen Jezebel was threatening his life and even sent him a death warning. Elijah became desperate and fled Israel, crossed Judah and, discouraged, went to Beersheba, where he fell into a deep depression.
Elijah felt…
Now let’s get to some points of what the prophet felt. Elijah felt like a failure, because despite the victory against the false prophets, Ahab and Jezebel continued as before there was no change of heart and this made him feel that he did not fulfill what he should have. He also felt alone, as is described in 1 Kings 19:10-14. Here I want to bring up some other accounts from the Bible, after all he was not the only one to feel this way.
Paul had the same experience at the end of his life, in 2 Timothy 4:16 it is written: “In my first defense no one was for me, but everyone deserted me. This was an experience experienced by the Lord Jesus himself in the Garden of Gethsemane, for even his disciples left him alone.
The prophet also felt fatigue as we can see in 1 Kings 18:46, for he struggled, felt exhaustion and tension on Mount Carmel. From this we can see that many times, despite experiencing victory in our service for the Lord, when we are physically exhausted, the enemy may try to bring us down.
My point here is to show you that if you feel lonely, tired, depressed or frustrated today, know that these feelings are not unique to you.
God restored Elijah’s spirit
God did not abandon Elijah and He dealt with him with love and understanding. “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him. For He knows our frame and knows that we are dust” (Psalms 103:13-14). God restored his spirits with a good meal, a good night’s sleep, and words of encouragement. Then, with the help of the Lord Elijah overcame his depressive state.
As a result we see Elijah’s vision restored, his vocation renewed, and he returned to service in Israel. He had his trust in God renewed. Elijah found that he was not alone – the Lord gave him a word of comfort. Likewise, you can count on God’s presence in your life. He is omnipresent. Know that you always have the Holy Spirit on your side.
Conclusion
Maybe you feel alone at the moment and are facing depression, anxiety, or any other psychological disorder, but know that you are not alone! I suggest you to read Psalm 4 today. In case you need to read it today: know that you are a beloved child of God and will not be forsaken by Him.
Here are some tips in case you need to help someone today:
- Show that you care!
- Thank them for opening up to you!
- Don’t be afraid to talk about suicide!
- Understand and explain that depression is a disease!
- Don’t judge or belittle their feelings!
- Encourage them to talk to a professional! (Remember: doctors have God-given intelligence and knowledge to take care of us).
God bless you!
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