1 Kings 19, Daniel 11, Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, Psalm 104: Mental illness and depression are ever escalating in our world. In 1 Kings 19 we see a strong christian leader who struggles with depression. Elijah had just seen God do amazing things, but after the mountain top came a very deep valley as Jezebel threatens his life. One would thing that a strong christian leader would not struggle, that he would trust God, and that depression would never enter his world. You would be so wrong because Christian leaders are just like christians, who are just like unbelievers in some ways. We can all struggle emotionally. Some of the struggle can be chemical in nature causing the body to be depleted of chemicals that help keep the mind functioning correctly. This is especially true of anyone who has had a traumatic past. Dealing with the trauma uses up certain chemicals that help you cope. That is why it is important if your depression continues to seek medical care.
For some it is just a matter of being worn out. We push our bodies harder than they can handle and with little sleep or bad nutrition that mind begins to push back with negative thoughts, irritability and sometimes even suicidal thoughts to try to figure a way out of the demands we have placed on it. Elijah may well have suffered with this kind of depression. His normal pattern was not to fold when threatened. He was also helped by sleep and food. This is a great place to start if you are struggling. Get good rest and eat nutritionally to see if that helps. I would also add get outside! Some struggle with light deprivation and just down time. Let your body fuel back up!
The last piece of advice is spend some time with the Father. Elijah rested, ate, then he went to be with the Lord through fasting and prayer. Elijah heard God’s voice and it gave him specific directions of what to do next. Some of us may just need a purpose and plan to help us get out of the struggle pattern. Time with the Master focused on Him and what He can do even in our weakness will refuel you.
As a fellow sufferer of seasonal depression I can say after a while you will begin to read the signs of depression before you get down. In those times early prevention beats a pound of cure!