Conquering Depression

“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say,

“May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely,

if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

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.”

I Kings 19:1-4

 

If you look back in the Book of I Kings and chapter 18,

you will be able to read of the great victory, in God, that Elijah had.

Literally and figuratively he had a mountaintop experience!

Ever had one?

What often happens next is what happened to Elijah.

The mountain is followed by a valley.

Ever had one?

Take note of what Elijah did and don’t follow suit.

In fear, he ran for his life.

He did not run to God, he ran away from Him.

He left his servant and in a solitary way, went into the wilderness – a day’s journey no less.

He left behind friends and he isolated himself.

Finally, he asked God to take his life.

Have you ever struggled with depression?

Do you recognize, in this story, any of your own actions?

Have you walked in fear?

Have you walked away from God instead of to Him?

Have you left friends behind and entered a wilderness all alone?

Have you asked God to take your life?

Have you tried to take it yourself?

You see it is all about choices.

Depression is caused by the way you choose to respond to life’s circumstances.

It was all about choices for Elijah.

It is all about choices for you!

Maybe that seems harsh but the reality is that God’s power is greater than

 the depression you face.

The same God available to Elijah on Mt. Carmel was available to him when the news from Jezebel reached him.

The same God available to you on the mountaintop is also with you in the valley.

He has told us that He will never leave us and will never forsake us.

Don’t face depression alone.

Turn your face, your heart and your will to God!