Facing Discouragement: Lessons learned from an old, old prophet.

Scripture Verse: 1 Kings 19:3-4 Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.”

Observation: Elijah is considered one of the greatest prophets ever. Chapters 17 & 18 recount some of the powerful ways in which God worked through him. And later in chapter 19 we read of still more accomplishments. Nevertheless, in verses 3 and 4 we get a glimpse of his humanity once again. Fear and resignation threaten to halt his efforts, as is true of almost anyone, great or small.

Application: Discouragement is easy to come by, especially for those in positions of leadership. Lots of expectations—some realistic, some unrealistic or overly idealistic—are placed on you. Sometimes we place such expectations on ourselves as well. All is well for a while. But eventually our limitations will be exposed, if not to others, at least to ourselves. At that point it’s easy to submit to a little personal pity party. Why? Because at that moment we mistakenly think that life is all about us—what we are able to do or what we are unable to do. We ditch the power of a Calling (and a higher ‘caller’) in favor of the power of frustration and self-pity. We may also wish, at that point, to point to past ‘successes’ and declare that we’ve ‘done’ enough. Such was Elijah’s predicament in the wilderness; discouraged, wrung out, ready to call it not just a day, but a life.

We can feel that way for a few moments if we must, but eventually we are called to hear the truth—our real strength does not come from us but comes to us and pulses through us. Just as the angel then prompted Elijah to get up and eat so that the journey might not be too much for him, so the Spirit of God beckons us to raise up our droopy heads, be fed physically and spiritually with the bread of life, and to move forward with renewed vision and purpose—be it as child, parent, spouse, friend, leader, servant or all of the above.

Prayer: Lord, although today is not a personally discouraging day, I’ve had them before and I will no doubt have them again. When I do, help me to keep the lesson of how you worked through Elijah firmly in mind. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Readings today included 1 Kings 17, 18, 19 & Colossians 2