September 25-26, 2004, 1 Kings 19:1-13, Selected

RECONNECTING THE POWER!
WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP!

ONE OF THE SECRETS OF OVERCOMING DEPRESSION IS TO
RECONNECT TO GOD!

*** 1 Kings 19:1-2 “When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel what Elijah had done and that he had slaughtered the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: "May the gods also kill me if by this time tomorrow I have failed to take your life like those whom you killed." [New Living Translation]
*** 1 Kings 19:3-4 “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the desert, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." [NLT]
*** James 5:17 “Elijah was as completely human as we are….” [Living Bible]

FAULTY THINKING!

*** Proverbs 23:7 “What he thinks is what he really is.” [Today’s English Version]

CHANGE YOUR STINKIN' THINKIN'!

*** Romans 12:2 “ Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” [New Century Version]

WE CAN OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION:

1. BY UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSE!
A. HE FOCUSED ON HIS FEELING NOT ON THE FACTS!
*** 1 Kings 19:4 “Finally, he came to a large bush and sat down in its shade. He begged the Lord, "I've had enough. Just let me die!" [CEV]

EMOTIONAL REASONING!

• I feel like a looser: Ro. 8:37 “…we are more than conquerors through him….” [NIV]
• I feel alone: Matthew 28:20 “Remember that I am always with you until the end of time." [God’s Word]
• I feel afraid: Jn.14:27 “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [NIV]
• I feel overwhelmed: 1 Cor. 10:13 “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” [NIV]

B. HE COMPARED HIMSELF TO OTHERS!
*** 1 Kings 19:4 “Finally, he came to a large bush and sat down in its shade. He begged the Lord, "I've had enough. Just let me die! I'm no better off than my ancestors." [CEV]
*** 2 Cor. 10:12 “Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other…. What stupidity!” [Living Bible]

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE YOU– THAT’S HOW HE MADE YOU!

C. HE BLAMED HIMSELF UNJUSTLY!
*** 1 Kings 19:10 “He answered, "Lord God All-Powerful, I've always done my best to obey you. But your people have broken their solemn promise to you. They have torn down your altars and killed all your prophets, except me. And now they are even trying to kill me!" [CEV]

D. HE EXAGGERATED THE NEGATIVE!
***1 Kings 19:10 “I am the only one left, & now they are trying to kill me too." [NIV]

2. BY APPLYING THE CURE!

1. TAKE CARE OF YOUR PHYSICAL NEEDS!
*** 1 Kings 19:5-8 “Then he lay down in the shade and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel woke him up and said, "Get up and eat." Elijah looked around, and by his head was a jar of water and some baked bread. He sat up, ate and drank, then lay down and went back to sleep. Soon the Lord's angel woke him again and said, "Get up and eat, or else you'll get too tired to travel." So Elijah sat up and ate and drank. The food and water made him strong….” [CEV]

2. SUPPLICATE DON’T SUPPRESS YOUR FRUSTRATIONS!
*** 1 Kings 19:9-10 “Elijah went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." [NIV]

HE DIDN’T VENT OUT, HE VENTED UP!

SEVEN EMOTIONS ELIJAH HAD:
1. FEAR! 2. RESENTMENT! 3. SELF PITY!
4. GUILT! 5. ANGER! 6. LONELINESS! 7. WORRY!

3. RECONNECT TO THE POWER!
*** 1 Kings 19:11-13 “The Lord said to Elijah, "Go, stand in front of me on the mountain, and I will pass by you." Then a very strong wind blew until it caused the mountains to fall apart and large rocks to break in front of the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle sound. When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his coat and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Then a voice said to him, "Elijah! Why are you here?" [NCV]

• TO REMIND ELIJAH OF HIS POWER!
• TO REMIND ELIJAH OF HIS PRESENCE!

4. GET A NEW VISION!
*** 1 Kings 19:15 “The Lord said: Elijah, you can go back…. And when you get there….” [CEV]
*** Eph. 2:10 “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” [NLT]