Tested Faith

Does feeling depressed mean that my faith isn’t real?

God’s Response

Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:2-4

Have you ever noticed that the lows of depression often come after great spiritual highs? Having real faith doesn’t mean that you never experience low periods. Elijah had just experienced a great victory for God (see 1 Kings 18); here, he prays to die. His faith was very real, but he was exhausted and afraid. God let him sleep and fed him before sending him back to work. If you’re feeling depressed, take care of your physical needs for rest and nourishment and hold on to God through the darkness.

This Is Promising

From the depths of despair, O LORD, I call for your help. . . . I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:1, 5