Overcoming Depression by Not Becoming Isolated and Alone.
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for today. Let me feel your presence and dwell in it. Amen
“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.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
The angel of the LORD came back a second time and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So, he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he 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, torn 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.”
REFLECT:
In times of great discouragement and depression, we tend to isolate ourselves from those whom we need the most. Elijah left his servant behind, a servant who had been by his side, who was supposed to protect him, to stand with him, to run with him if necessary. Yet, Elijah leaves him behind as he runs into the wilderness by himself. He is alone. Earlier at Mount Carmel, in 1 Kings 18:22, Elijah said, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord.” This was not accurate, but that’s how he felt. And now, he says, “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” Interestingly, Elijah himself provides important reasons for him to remain alive. He also shows the unreasonable nature of unbelief and fear. Elijah is lonely, struggling through depression and darkness, battling worry, facing big fears, feeling lost in a sea of doubt, wondering if God even sees…or cares.
He does see. He does care.
APPLY:
The last thing you usually want to do when you’re depressed, is to be around people. This, however, may be one of the most dangerous things you can do when you are depressed and alone with your thoughts. Depressive thoughts can spiral and overwhelm your emotions, making it easy to believe the lie that your life is without hope, and no one cares about you. It’s extremely important to have someone who can sit with you and be a reminder that people love you.
Surround yourself with others who can walk through your depression with you. Go somewhere where you can receive support and encouragement. If you can’t leave the house, ask a trusted friend to come over. Give them a key if you can’t get out of bed. Talk together, pray together, watch a move, or listen to music. You may need a friend that doesn’t ask but tells you they’re coming over. Others can lift your spirits, remind you of truth, and cheer you on.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to people in your family, your church, or your friends. Others often feel at a loss to know how they can support loved ones who struggle with depression. One thing anyone can do is pray. Ask them to pray with and for you. Continue to pray each day, asking God to renew your mind and body drawing you closer to himself. While prayer alone may not end depression, prayer is still powerful and important. God hears, and God cares.
God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NLT)
The good news is that our relationship with God depends upon his unchanging faithfulness and not on our changeable emotions.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you for seeing me where I am, amid my pain and struggle, in the middle of my wilderness. Thank you that you have not forgotten me, or abandoned me, and never will. Forgive me for the times I have doubted that truth. I choose to set my eyes on you. I choose joy and peace when whispered lies say I shouldn’t. Amen.
CONTINUED READING:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
WORSHIP: