DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- DEPRESSION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – DEPRESSION

"And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, 'So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.' And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he (Elijah) went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, 'It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" (I Kings 19:1-4)

Have you ever suffered from depression? I have and it is no fun. It is worse than just being depressed, which we probably all experience from time to time. It is a prolonged state of profound state of hopelessness and despair. It often includes withdrawal and self-isolation, fatigue, feelings of helplessness, apathy, and suicidal thoughts.

Elijah was suffering from big-time depression after the great victory at Mt. Carmel when God demonstrated His mighty power. He was exhibiting the symptoms. He withdrew by going into the wilderness and later into a cave. He wanted to die. He slept under a broom tree. His depression lasted for an extended time as he went 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God (vs. 9).

Depression can have many causes. It may be caused by a physical, chemical or nutritional imbalance in our system. It may be from an emotional upheaval. It may be from burnout. It may be not enough sunshine. It may be a drop in our adrenaline level after a big event. It may be a spiritual low, as it was with Elijah.

God kept asking Elijah, "What are you doing here?" (vss. 9, 13). Elijah's answer was the same each time: "I have been zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because 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" (vss. 10, 14). Listen to the self-pity. Hear his grief over Israel's ungodliness. He feels alone and rejected. He feels his work is in vain. But God is not done with Elijah. He still has a work to do. God gives Elijah a glimpse of His purpose for his life.

God does not desert us in our times of despair. Even though it may seem that we are forsaken, God still has a work for us to do. Healing from depression may take time, but a restored vision for our future is a part of that healing.

Love, Dad