Am I The Only One?

These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace. In the world

ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Since high school, I have loved reading biographies, especially of great Christians. I read of some I had never even heard of before, but in reading about about them, often felt I had a new friend after finishing the book. In my youth, I enjoyed hearing about the ups of life of these great people, but skirted around the problems each had.

One famous preacher I came to admire was C.H. Spurgeon, that great preacher who is still thought to be the greatest preacher since the Apostle Paul. With no sound system in his day, his voice would resound all over any place, large or small, where he preached the Word of God like no other. The interesting thing I saw about him, however, was that he suffered tremendously with the problem of depression. After preaching, he would often have to go straight home to lay on his couch in a darkened room. He would lay there for hours and sometimes days. Back then, people didn't know about depression like we do today. We have come to know that there are types and levels of depression and what can hopefully be done about any of them.

Beginning in high school, I found myself often with what we called “the blues.” I had a teacher my freshman year, who detected this problem in me. I'm sure she carefully observed me for quite awhile before she ever spoke to me about it. I didn't know what it was but it was the pits as far as I was concerned. Ms. Nave was a wonderful, sensitive lady that I think any students in the high school would attest to. I had a couple of classes with her. At times after a class, she would simply say, “How are you doing today, Glendarae?” I'm sure she would have wanted to hear more than my one or two word replies. So even through college, I fought the same battle. It was never a problem that ever required seeing a doctor because as I matured, the bouts with depression became less and less. It also helped that I recognized some of the triggers that brought on a season of “the blues.”

A Bible person (I don't use the word “character”) I have come to admire through the years is Elijah. What a might man of God he was. He placed himself totally at God's disposal but he came up against a very difficult season in his life. The steps that led him to this season of discouragement and depression are steps that I believe leads to any of us taking to the couch of depression. Let me hasten to say that I realize there are folks who suffer from a depression that requires medication. For many, depression has a chemical cause and fortunately there are medications to handle that problem. When I've occasionally spoken with a woman friend struggling with depression, my first word of advice to her is to suggest she see her doctor for a complete chemical work up. That will often reveal a lack or over abundance of certain chemicals in ones system.

Elijah was a thorn in the side of two people, Ahab and Jezebel. Jezebel is thought to have been about the most wicked of women to ever live. I've never known of any couple who has named a new baby girl Jezebel. Even people who have never read the Bible seem to know to stay away from that name. It was through those two people that Elijah found himself so depressed, he couldn't figure out how to get himself out of it. Go to I Kings 19, Elijah’s problem with depression can be traced. Now believe me, books have been written on Elijah and this phase of his life. I'm no expert but in reading this chapter, there are some things from a lay persons perspective that have been of help to me, triggers that I can avoid that have helped me tremendously in my adult life.

* Great spiritual victory

Satan loves this one. One wouldn't think that any kind of victory could trigger the blue moods but it can. Any high point in our lives can do that...job promotion, new car, new house, answered prayer, etc. Add your own things to that list. Elijah had just had two back to back victories...killing the priests of Baal and praying down rain after a great drought. One would have thought Elijah was walking on air but that wasn't the case.

* Great opposition

Needless to say, Ahab and Jezebel were not happy campers in all of this. They already had a deep hatred for this prophet of God. They weren't mildly upset...they put a “hit” out on him. They wanted him DEAD in the worse way.

* Great physical weariness

In order to escape, Elijah literally ran 70 miles for his life. The way he took was rocky and involved running up and down hills. Not an easy flight. That would wear anyone out.

* Great loneliness

Elijah had a servant who traveled with him. During all of this, he left his servant along the way because he wanted to be alone. This wasn't the smartest move on Elijah's part.

*Great self pity

This area leads to some things Elijah experienced, none of which were of any help to him. He was hungry and thirsty and needed that refreshment. God provided that for him. While God was doing that, Elijah was entertaining all sorts of negative questions about God. At this point, Elijah was almost suicidal. His thinking was on the dark side, his body ravished in so many ways. He was even to the point of thinking how fortunate God was to have him as he was about the only faithful servant God had.

We find Elijah responded to God's care of him. God never walked away from Elijah. He continued to use him and love him. God led Elijah to a brighter day as He will you and me. I could have written more about about this but for my own sake, I was looking at the steps Elijah took, steps I want to avoid in order to benefit from what were some of Elijah's very human mistakes. I'm speaking from my own point of view and don't mean to take something so serious in too simplistic a way to the point of being offensive.

What are some things I see that will help me in avoiding those “pit” times:

• If I don't know it by now, spiritual opposition waits around every corner.
• Facing fears is a most important part of life. God is of great help with this.
• I must not isolate myself. We are surrounded by people who love us but pick from among them carefully I want to be around me during dark times.
• Drop the self pity. Elijah even complained to God that he was about the only one left still serving God faithfully.
• I have to keep myself fed and hydrated. Whether I'm hungry, thirsty or not, I can be mentally affected if I don't take care of this important part of my physical being.
  

Elijah needed a new vision and God gave it to him. In fact, God spoke to him in a still, small voice. You and I can be encouraged in that God wants to speak to us in the same way. God speaks and encourages us in the way He chooses. Our job is to always be on the alert, listening for what He has to say to us. Much of that will come from God's word. We must stay in it whether we feel like it or not.

Elijah remained accepted and usable by God. God made us...He knows us inside and out. Despite our weaknesses and even strengths, He's always working with us. He always wants what is in our best interest. We just need to quit running over hill and dale and give Him the opportunity to minister to us.

Lord Jesus, I thank You for all the ways You minister in my life. Forgive me for not trusting You, for doubting You when I know better. Thank You for Your love. Protect my mind and my heart so that I might be faithful in serving You. Amen