How To Beat Spiritual Depression

I Kings 19:1-6, 9-12

INTRODUCTION:

How many of you have a Christian person you really look up to – someone you really admire as a Christian? Perhaps it’s someone you admire because of the way they’ve been used by God. Perhaps you can just sense a closeness to God in them.

Now, when you feel down, have you ever wondered thought of that person, and said, “I bet they don’t ever feel like this!”

Well, that’s the kind of Christian Elijah was. He had performed many miracles – we have record of at least 7 major miracles in the Bible that were performed by Elijah. This is the guy who had the guts to walk into the king’s throne room, and say, “Just as God lives, there will not be dew nor rain until I allow it!” This is the guy who, in a spiritual contest with the 750 prophets of Baal, faced them down and called fire down from heaven! There’s a man with guts and spiritual courage! I bet HE never feels depressed!

Well, think again. Because when we find Elijah, he’s totally depressed! He’s so depressed, he’s hiding in a cave and wishing to die!

1. There are no super-Christians.

If they pretend they are, they’re lying. There is NO ONE that immune to spiritually tired times. If they tell you they are, it’s not so. There’s no level of closeness to God that will make you spiritually untouchable.

2. Even good Christians get “in the cave” every now and then.

Think about it like this: If you’re “in the cave” – or next time you feel like you’re “in the cave” – you’re in pretty good company. Let’s see:

- Elijah felt so depressed he asked God to let him die.

- Jeremiah felt depressed.

- Jonah felt depressed.

- David felt depressed.

So, don’t panic and feel like you’re the only one that has ever felt that way.

3. God wants to meet your physical needs.

Look what God did first: He let him sleep. (V. 5,6)

1Ki 19:5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again.

I have learned this week that God is very concerned about how we take care of ourselves in those weeks where we’re spiritually down. If you’re feeling that way, ONE thing you need is more sleep. Try going to bed an hour earlier. I know it doesn’t sound glamorous, but it’s true. That’s how God dealt with Elijah.

Look what God did next: He fed him. (V. 5-7)

1Ki 19:5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again.

7 And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you."

8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.

I have learned that God is very concerned with the everyday things like eating. If you’re not eating right, perhaps you should start if you want to pull out of spiritual depression.

God wants to deal with your physical needs during those times of spiritual depression.

4. God wants to meet your emotional needs.

Look what God did next: He LISTENED to him. (V. 9-10)

1Ki 19:9 ¶ And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."

This tells me something: God wants to take the time to listen, if you’ll take the time to talk to Him. And listen to Elijah pray here. . . this is not “Our dear, most loving, gracious Heavenly Father, we come to You today...”

Elijah here sounds like he’s venting: “I’ve been faithful, and tried my best, and EVERYONE IS AGAINST ME!!!!”

The point? You can tell God ANYTHING. You can tell him exactly how you feel! If you’re talking to me, there are probably some things you won’t say – you’re afraid of how they might sound. But when you’re talking to God, you can say ANYTHING you want!