Have you ever wondered how as a Christian you still struggle with mental health? What if I told you that one of God’s biggest prophets was suicidal? That's right, His prophet! His name? Elijah.
Elijah was a servant for God and called out those of Israel for worshipping Baal (a false God/statue made of Gold). Eventually, he proves to these people that His God is real and that he is a true servant for Him. When the King of Israel, Ahab, finds this out, he wants to kill Elijah himself. Scripture says that “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.” It even says following this that he went out into the wilderness alone and “prayed that he might die.”
He says, “I’ve had enough, Lord. Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Does this sound like a prayer you have prayed? I know I have before.
Now the big question is, how did God respond? We are supposed to take scripture and apply it to our lives so I truly believe that what God said to Elijah is also what He says to us when we pray this same prayer or even just feel this way in our hearts.
Scripture says, “But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him. “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and water!....
Ah, that makes sense because the bible does say that God always fills the hunger of the righteous. (Proverbs 10:3)
Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” The journey ahead? But, I told you, God! I don't want there to be more ahead for me! But fine, I’ll give your way a try first…
“So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.”
Wait a second, forty days and forty nights…??? Sound familiar??? Yeah, remember when Jesus fasted for that same time on this same mountain! Ah, how our God wants us to be just like Him. Do you remember the reason Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights? To pray. To be close to God. To hear Him. To prepare Himself for future suffering (crucifixion). Yeah, God never promises life will be easy but He promises to prepare us for it. HOW POWERFUL. Read that again. And again.
If you personally read 1 Kings 19, you will notice that God repeatedly asked Elijah what was wrong and Elijah poured his heart out to God. God obviously already knew what was wrong but He asked anyway out of intentionality and because He wanted Elijah to talk to Him… BE VULNERABLE WITH GOD!
Do you want your answer? The one He gave Elijah when He was suicidal and the one He gives you? Here it is: “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” The Lord told him.” So, essentially God says, “be in My presence.”
“And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:12
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