1 Kings 19When Elijah Wanted to Die | How the Bible Speaks to Depression

Transcript

Elijah asked God to take his life. He sat down under a tree and he prayed to die. This is the same man who days earlier watched fire fall from heaven. He had won. It looked like Israel was finally turning back to God. And then one threat from Jezebel, the enemy, and Elijah runs. He ends up alone in the wilderness. And Elijah says, "I've had enough, Lord. Take my life.

I am no better than my ancestors. I think depression at its very core is the heart crying out for hope. And that's exactly what's happening here. Elijah's not saying, "I hate my life." He says, "I'm all alone. Israel is too far gone. I give up." Elijah had lost any sense that things could get better. And in healthcare, we have a screening tool we use for suicide risk.

And one of the questions we ask is, "Do you have a plan?" And if you asked Elijah what his plan was when he was experiencing depression, the answer is yes, he did. His plan was to lay his life down before the Lord. Because even in Elijah's lowest moment, he recognized something. His life was truly never his own. It belonged to God. And in that story, look how God responds.

He doesn't rebuke Elijah. He doesn't correct him immediately or shame him for asking to die. He doesn't chastise him for his faith not being strong enough. God is so gracious. He sent an angel twice just to feed him and let him rest. And only after God is tender and compassionate to Elijah, he asks, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" And Elijah answers with that same despair. I'm the only one left and they want to kill me.

And God is still not harsh with his servant. Instead, God just reminds him, you're not alone. I'm with you. I am your hope and I'm not done. And then something beautiful happens. Elijah gets back up. He walks 40 days to Horeb. He goes back to work because God has given him hope. His circumstances didn't change, but his perception of what his hope actually is in did. Depression tells you this is how it will always be.

But God's answer to Elijah wasn't fixing the immediate circumstances. It was just himself. God making himself known. Meeting Elijah exactly where he was, reminding Elijah that God's not done and things are going to get better. If you're in that place today, and I mean really in it, don't carry it alone. Talk to someone today. Reach out to your pastor. Call 988 and pray. God meets people gently in the pit without condemnation. Let him meet you there and he will remind you the hope of your calling.

Transcript from YouTube's automatic captions, lightly tidied. Watch the full video on YouTube.