What Got Elijah There (Causes of Depression):
1. It may come after a time of intense activity.
- 18:22-45.
- on heals of a great victory.
- not just bad things that can trigger depression.
2. It may come after relationship conflict.
- 18:17-18; 19:1-2.
3. It may come at a point of exhaustion.
- vv. 4, 5, 10, 14 (discussed later).
4. It may come after a major victory.
- 18:38-40.
- mid-life crisis/making the title you want/getting what you want and finding it hollow.
5. It may come after a huge disappointment.
- v. 2.
Where Elijah Ended Up (Symptoms/Evidence of Depression):
1. He was filled with fear.
- v. 3.
2. He became socially isolated.
- v. 3-4.
- he left his servant.
3. He had suicidal thoughts.
- v. 4.
- folks say, “I don’t believe a real Christian could ever have thoughts of suicide.”/Elijah provides
proof real believers can.
- ex. Charles Spurgeon.
4. He was exhausted.
- v. 5 - physical exhaustion.
- v. 4 - emotional exhaustion.
- v. 10, 14 - spiritual exhaustion.
5. He couldn’t shake those feelings.
- v. 8.
- the depression went on for at least 40 days.
6. He felt rejected.
- v. 10.
7. He was consumed with the negative.
- cf. v. 10 to v. 18.
- he forgot about God’s provision in the past (ch. 17; 18:38; 18:45).
Where God Led Him (Steps To Healing):
1. Don’t treat depression as imaginary or sinful.
- v. 7.
- vv. 9-18 (God’s tenderness).
- God didn’t treat Elijah’s depression as imaginary or sinful.
2. Remember it’s not a sin to rest.
- v. 6.
- taking care of physical body (eat, drink, rest).
3. Let the person let you what the problem is.
- vv. 9, 13.
- importance of listening.
- God had Elijah tell Him what the problem was.
4. Get some help.
- vv. 15-17.
5. God dealt with the false beliefs that fueled the depression.
- v. 18.
