Rest

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.

1 Kings 19:4–5

Pause

Elijah had witnessed God prove his power over Baal. Then he defeated and killed four hundred and fifty false prophets. After that, he prophesied rain and it fell for the first time in three years. Finally, he outran King Ahab’s chariot to Jezreel. That’s when he heard about Queen Jezebel wanting him dead.

Jezebel’s threat overrode the truth Elijah knew and had just witnessed. It plunged him from the spiritual mountaintop to a pit of despair in a nanosecond. Do you think physical exhaustion played a role? I do.

Extreme fatigue can make us vulnerable to wrong thinking. We exchange the truth for a false reality that skews our perspective. Therefore, rest is essential when we’re in crisis mode. Sleep can be difficult, but do what you must to care for yourself. A good rest helps keep us in the right frame of mind.

Ponder

Rest for a few minutes. Close your eyes and enjoy—guilt-free.

Pray

Father, provide the opportunity and ability for me to sleep deeply.