 April 14, 1999
LIFE & WORK:
Depression also comes
to the spiritual & successful
___ 1 Kings 19:1-12, 15-16
___By Doug Riggs
___Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Bedford
___Roger Barrett described depression as "a miserable, wretched experience that leaves you exhausted, uninvolved and in deep, hopeless despair. There seems to be absolutely nowhere to turn and not one  single thing you can do to escape these horrible feelings. You feel doomed, trapped and at the end of your rope. It's awful!" If you can identify with that description (and most of us can), then this lesson is for you. God can turn depression into hope.
___ Anyone can become depressed (1 Kings 19:1-5a). Many myths cloud depression. Some believe that neither true followers of God nor successful people will ever become depressed. Elijah's story counters those myths. The background of 1 Kings 18 depicts Elijah's unquestioned commitment to God and his unparalleled success on Mount Carmel.
___However, immediately after his great victory on Mount Carmel, Queen Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah immediately (v. 2). The threat sent Elijah into a tailspin that made him run away and desire to die (v. 4). The mighty warrior of God who confronted and killed up to 850 false prophets (18:19) was depressed. (See Numbers 11:15 and Jonah 4:3 for other examples of depression).
___ Depression demands care (1 Kings 19:5b-8). The following sequence of events begins in a seemingly unspiritual way. Elijah slept, ate, slept and ate as God's angel ministered to him. In his case, depression grew out of fatigue. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is take a day off, get some rest or take a nap. One must remember that a caregiver also needs care. Minis-tering angels may take the form of pastors, doctors, counselors, friends or family members. You may discover that you're not alone in your depression.
___ God's presence gives hope (1 Kings 19:9b-12). God's question to Elijah (v. 9) was not designed to gather information any more than was God's question to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:9). Elijah needed to understand his own circumstances in relationship to God. Elijah responded in self-pity (vv. 10, 14). He thought he stood alone in his spiritual commitment. He felt isolated and threatened.
___God demonstrated his power to Elijah through a strong wind, an earthquake and fire (vv. 11-12). God has many weapons in his arsenal to accomplish his will. However, Elijah found God's presence in the gentle whisper. God's presence is the greatest of all allies even if God refuses to express himself with booming effect. God revealed to Elijah that 7,000 others had remained faithful (v. 18). We are never alone.
___ God offers fulfillment (1 Kings 19:15-16). One of the most practical ways to combat depression is to engage in meaningful service. When we focus on God and others, we stop pitying ourselves. God gave Elijah a task to perform. God wanted him to anoint two kings and a prophet. God expects us to be faithful and obedient even when we experience depression. Furthermore, he does not expect us to wait until we have recovered from depression. Service becomes a key to the cure.
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