When Depression Threatens To Overwhelm You

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.