Monday, July 29, 2013

Elijah Struggles With Depression

I Kings 19:1-9a

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 

Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.” (I Kings 19:1-2)

Ahab worshipped Baal as another acceptable religion, much like a Protestant who is married to a Catholic might take part in a Catholic service.  Jezebel, however was more like the radical Moslem who wants to kill everyone who is not a Moslem.  When Ahab told her how Elijah had defeated and killed the prophets of Baal, she got mad, and sent a message that she would have him killed within twenty-four hours.

“And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.  But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (I Kings 19:3-4)

Knowing that as queen she could ignore the laws that restricted others, much like the IRS or Homeland Security, Elijah had no doubt about his danger.  He fled southward into Judah to Beersheba where he left his servant.  Fearing she would still be able to track him down, he left his servant and fled out into the wilderness another twenty or thirty miles.  Discouraged and depressed, he asked God to just kill him, convinced he wasn’t worth saving.

Elijah had just seen God work in a mighty way, and the prophets of Baal destroyed.  Like most of us, he assumed that that would end the matter and let down his guard.  As a result, Jezebel’s threat completely unnerved him.  Like Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14, he began to focus on the circumstances rather than on God, and he sank in depression, and went to bed, sleeping to avoid dealing with it.  Though his fear seems illogical from our perspective, it was very logical to him.

“ And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.  And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.” (I Kings 19:5-6)

Many people believe all a depressed person needs is a swift kick in the seat of the pants to get them up and going.   Others believe a good pep talk will solve the problem.  God did not take either approach.  Low blood sugar from not eating well can cause depression, so God started by providing food and water to overcome that problem, and allowed him to sleep a while longer and regain his strength.  Sometimes just food and rest will relieve the depression by providing mental energy to address the problems.

“And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.  And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.” (I Kings 19:7-8)

After he’d rested a while longer, the angel returned with more food, recognizing that the problem was very real to Elijah.  Too often outsiders treat the problem as minor, and leave the depressed person with the impression they think he is crazy for being upset over the problem.   This leads to deeper depression.  By acknowledging the seriousness of the problem,  By acknowledging Elijah’s perception of the problem, the angel established that he didn’t think Elijah was crazy.

Depressed people tend to eat sweet or quickly digested foods because they produce a quick energy surge. Without energy, the brain cannot function efficiently to address such problems.  Unfortunately, they cause the body to raise the insulin level, and quickly lower the blood sugar again, leading to a hypoglycemic condition and often resulting in even worse depression.   Type II diabetics have developed insulin resistance, and thus their bodies are unable to produce the surge of energy from eating sweet things, so increased blood sugar does not lessen their depression.

The food the angel provided did not produce the sudden surge of energy, but a sustained level, enabling Elijah to travel forty days and nights as he continued southeast to mount Horeb in present day Saudi Arabia in his effort to escape from Jezebel.

“And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there;…” (I Kings 19:9a) 

With forty days travel separating him and Jezebel, Elijah finally was convinced he would be safe and stopped running.   God didn’t get angry with him or  give up on him because of his depression.  He recognized Elijah needed more than just a strong talking too.  He needed to get some distance so he could get perspective on the problems.  Only when he has gotten far enough away to get them into perspective could he successfully deal with them.

God knows man far better than we do, and he has given us an example of how to deal with depressed people.  Unfortunately most lack the patience to truly help those who are depressed.




2 comments:

  1. I love this passage of Scripture. It amazes me that Elijah falls into such a valley after such a spiritual victory, and shows us that none of us are immune to the same problem. Praise God that He gently nurtures and encourages us in these situations.
    Thanks for the great post, & God bless,
    Laurie

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    1. Not only does it show that even a spiritual Christian can fall into these problems. it shows us an example of how to help those who are struggling with them.

      We've often adopted the "stiff upper lip" philosophy adn decide that anyone who has those feelings just needs to buck up. As a result, they are pushed further into depression. Many then go to a psychiatrist adn are given anti depressants which while relieving the symptoms, do nothing to alleviate the problem.

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