07Apr16

1 Kings 19:3-4
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 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."

The problem of depression and suicide is one that the church community doesn't like to talk about a whole lot. We like to do one of two things with it. We either will say, "You wouldn't be depressed if you were living right" or, "That's a problem for the mental health community." But, Elijah's bout with depression and suicidal ideations shows us something very different. First of all this is a conversation that needs to happen. If one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament wanted to lay down and die then why would we ignore the very real presence of this in the church today? It's real. It's a struggle and I believe it is one that God wants to rescue people from in a variety of ways.

If you keep reading in this passage Elijah lays down to "sleep" after this. This is imagery for death. But, God sends him and angel... literally and angel. This angel visits him twice and you know what the angel does? It makes him eat! Depression can be a very real physiological problem for people. Then after Elijah has eaten God shows him His presence. God will reveal himself in your darkest times. Finally God sends Elijah a man named Elisha to be his disciple. God brings people into our lives to help us continue on and show up purpose.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression don't ignore it. God has given us resources like no other nation before us. He has given us physical help, sometimes in the form of medications or dietary fixes. He has given us his presence in the form of the church and His Spirit. He has given us purpose and people in our lives to support us. Don't do this alone. God wants you to overcome and He has an amazing plan for you. If Elijah struggled and overcame this so can you!