Monday Memo 1172: Depression
After Elijah's victorious encounter with the prophets of Baal, Jezebel threatened to kill him in retaliation for putting her prophetic cohort to death:
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life; he took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. Leaving the servant there, Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down in the shade of a tree and wished he would die. “It's too much, Lord,” he prayed. “Take away my life; I might as well be dead!”
He lay down under the tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Wake up and eat.” He looked around and saw a loaf of bread and a jar of water near his head. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The Lord's angel returned and woke him up a second time, saying, “Get up and eat, or the trip will be too much for you.” Elijah got up, ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to walk forty days to Sinai, the holy mountain. There he went into a cave to spend the night (1 Kings 19:3-9. GNT).
By the sound of the account, it seems like Elijah was depressed, walking for an entire day in the wilderness and then doing nothing but sleeping and eating. God was with him, giving him rest and food, but God didn't allow Elijah to linger in the cave of depression for too long:
"Return to the wilderness near Damascus, then enter the city and anoint Hazael as king of Syria; anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet" (1 Kings 19:15-16, GNT).
There was still work to do and God expected Elijah to carry on and also prepare for his eventual transition—thus he had to anoint his successor while he was still healing from his depression. Little did Elijah know, however, that God had a glorious departure planned for him: "Then suddenly a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven by a whirlwind" (2 Kings 2:11).
In this series, Never Too Old for Purpose, we have looked at various aspects of those who purposefully serve the Lord in their latter years. We see in today's lesson that depression and fatigue are two of the obstacles that we all face no matter our age. However, when you're a bit older and have had a few more disappointments, the depression and hopelessness can become debilitating. Yes the answer is rest and rejuvenation, but it's also continuing the purpose work that God has assigned for you to do.
How are you doing these days? Are you tired and weary, fearful and disillusioned? Are you wishing that the end would come as Elijah stated to God? If so, God knows and He is with you. He will give you what you need to be healed and part of that healing is knowing that your job isn't finished—yet. Ask God to show you what's left for you to do and then slowly, as you're able, get back in the game like Elijah did.
Yes, your end is nearer than it's ever been but God has more purposeful days ahead for you. I can't promise that a chariot of fire is going to come and rescue you from your trials, but I can promise that God is with you and He is mindful of your labors for Him—and He knows how to reward His servants like you. Have a blessed week.