February 17, 2020

It’s Okay to Rest

But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”

– 1 Kings 19:5b

Sometimes we just need to rest. We’re so busy doing life, serving the LORD, taking care of the endless demands of others, that we find ourselves empty, frustrated, angry.

Have you been there? Are you there now? It seems as though this season will never end. We can’t see God so we try harder, pray longer, serve better. And, yet, all it seems to do is increase both our anxiety and our fatigue.

God invites us to rest. The world may try to insist that we remain on the treadmill but God says we can take a break. God says we can come to Him for nourishment and strength.

Elijah had done everything God asked of him. He’d stood firm in his faith. He’d prayed for rain and it came. Elijah was God’s servant and because he obeyed, others saw God’s mighty power.

And then, after it was all over, Jezebel vows to have Elijah killed and he just fell apart. He was done. He wanted to die. Aren’t we like that sometimes? We’ve stood strong and then that one more thing, that one more comment, that one more demand sends us over the edge and we are done.

Take a moment. Sleep. Eat. Pray. Meditate on God’s Word. You don’t have to be a superhero, no matter what the world tells you. You can say no to the endless demands. You can retreat into the safety of God’s arms.

God created us to do amazing things. But, as our Creator, God knows just how fragile and frail we really are. Today if you find yourself overwhelmed, turn toward God. He is your strength and your life source. With Him you will find nourishment. The journey ahead is filled with challenges. Recharge yourself – then move forward into your calling.

June 6, 2018

Clothe Yourself in Kindness

The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” – 1 Kings 19:7

Kate Spade died yesterday of an apparent suicide. It was the lead story on the news. Everyone – meaning those acquaintances who thought they knew her – seem shocked. How could this vibrant, colorful and talented woman be in such despair that she would take her own life?

Those closest to her say they saw the signs. Did they push for her to get medical help? Did she refuse? What were the circumstances that led her to this? We want to know all the juicy details. It is none of our business. None of that will change what happened or in any way comfort her family and close friends.

God tells us that if give bad things to Him, He will turn them to good. Will we do that in this situation? Will we look around us and see beyond the veneer of the people closest to us? Will we extend kindness and compassion to everyone? Will we stop boxing people in and realize that everyone hurts and cries and feels sad sometimes?

We have become such a fake people. It’s all about appearances. We really don’t want to know the bad stuff, unless it’s juicy enough for a gossip fest. We don’t want to be bothered with hurting people. We’ve got our own issues. We just want people to be who we expect them to be and save the bad feelings for some other time. So we end up with struggling people who keep it all inside.

The National Center for Health Statistics says that from 1999 through 2014, the age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States increased 24 percent, from 10.5 to 13.0 per 100,000 population, with the pace of increase greater after 2006.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that in 2016 an estimated 16.2 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 6.7 percent of all U.S. Adults. And, I might add, those were only the depressive episodes that were reported.

And we wonder why violence is on the rise. All that unhappiness has to go somewhere. If it doesn’t have an acceptable outlet, such as therapy, it will find another way to express itself. Is it okay? Absolutely not! But what are we going to do about it?

There is no quick fix when it comes to depression, suicide, bi-polar disorder and any number of other mental illnesses. That’s what they are: Illnesses. Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t real. They are debilitating. They can attack the strongest people, those who seemingly have everything anyone could want.

Despite what you may hear or read, there aren’t any quick fixes. Depression can come from biology. Did you know that? Serotonin levels, for example. Does exercise help? Yes. Does eating healthy help? Yes. Will spending time with God help? Yes. Will any of those things bring immediate relief? No. Unless, of course, God chooses to provide a miracle.

There’s a Facebook thing that gets passed around periodically. It reminds us that we don’t know what another person is going through so just be kind to everyone. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Why, then, is it so hard?

People are hurting out there folks. Love them. Just love them. Stop judging and pointing fingers and pronouncing curses on them because you don’t agree with their lifestyles or their political views or whatever it is you have a problem with. Just love them. That’s what Jesus would do. It’s what He told us to do. So just do it.

March 18, 2016

God Cares For The Depressed

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. 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.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb the mountain of God. -- 1 Kings 19:3-8


Are depressed people self-centered and selfish? That question came up in conversation the other day. It’s a touchy topic and one with intense ramifications if it is judged wrongly.

The short answer: Most depressed people are not self-centered or selfish. There are some, I’m sure, who use depression to manipulate others and focus attention on themselves. I’ve rarely met one but it is possible.

Most depressed people are living in a black hole. That’s why they can’t see anyone but themselves. Think about it like this: When the power goes out and everything is pitch black around you, what do you see? Nothing. That’s how it is for someone suffering from depression.

There are many causes of depression. Some cases are caused by events and some are caused by physical issues, such as low serotonin. It is frequently a combination of things and sometimes takes many doctors and therapists working together with the patient to unravel what is really going on.

I get so upset when someone assumes the person can just “get over it” because that just isn’t true. Nor does depression indicate a lack of faith. Depression is an illness, just like heart disease or diabetes. And it can kill. Never, ever brush that fact aside. When someone talks about suicide, take it seriously. They’ve likely decided that those they love will be better off without them.

This passage of Scripture always reminds me of how God cares for people who are so weary that they have given up. God would never brush someone aside or tell them to just “get over it.” God cares for His children. So should we.

I hope you never suffer from depression. I also hope you never have a loved one with this dreaded disease. In some ways, I think that is even worse. But know that God walks with us on this journey. When depression hits, He is there.

November 2, 2014

God Cares For Us

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, 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 tree and fell asleep. -- 1 Kings 19:3-5a

Some seasons of life are just tough. It seems as though life keeps throwing darts and, well, they hurt. Every time you think things are about to change for the better, something else happens and down you go -- again. Have you ever been there?

During this difficult season there are always ample people around to criticize you and to blame you for everything that has gone wrong. Sick? You should have taken better care of yourself. Unemployed? You should have realized your company was downsizing. Divorce? You should have married smarter or worked harder. The list goes on and on. People love to pile it on when you're already down.

I'm so thankful that God doesn't do that. I love the story of Elijah. This prophet was strong and committed to God. Until one day he'd just had one thing too many dumped on him. He fell apart. Anyone who has ever fell into that dark pit can relate. Many of us can be so strong in the fire, then we just collapse when it's all over. We're just done. That's where Elijah found himself.

God could have chastised him. He could have given Elijah a pep talk and sent him on his way. Instead, God sent an angel to minister to his servant. When he was strengthened, then God spoke to Elijah. I believe that God is that way with us. When life has worn us down and we feel we can't go on, God doesn't punish us for being tired. He cares for us, loves us, will welcome us into His loving embrace. God will strengthen us until we can go on again, turning darkness into light.

I am so grateful to know that when the world is crashing down all around me, God doesn't join the crowd.

Friday, July 29, 2011

God Provides Rest

Then he went on alone into the desert, traveling all day. 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 19:4

Elijah was done. He’d managed -- with God’s help -- to get rid of 450 of Baal’s prophets. He’d prayed for rain in a drought-stricken land and God had granted it. Now, finally, when Elijah was ready to take a vacation, Jezebel was vowing to kill him. It was just too much.

Have you ever felt that way? I have. Numerous times. You just reach a point where you’re so tired, so worn out, just so physically and mentally exhausted that you can’t do it anymore. You just want it all to end. You want God to ease your burdens, relieve your suffering, sooth your battered soul. And He does.

Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and saw some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. -- 1 Kings 19:5-6

God feeds us nourishment when we are too weary to feed ourselves. He sends a friend to encourage us. He gives us a Bible verse to sustain us. He sends His peace to fill us. God holds us up when we are too devastated to do it for ourselves.

When life gets too much for you, give it all to God. Pour out your heart to Him. Lay your burdens at His feet. Let Him fill you with His strength so that you will find rest for your soul.

　

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Turn To God

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, 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.”

-- 1 Kings 19:3-4

  Elijah was tired and discouraged. Sure, he’d had victories. But Jezebel had promised to kill him. The constant struggle no doubt weighed on him. Sometimes you just need a day off. A day free from worry and headaches and demands. A day to sleep in and recharge yourself.

That’s basically what Elijah got from God. The next verses tell us that an angel of the LORD woke Elijah and told him to eat and drink because “the journey is too much for you.” God didn’t chastise His servant. God comforted Elijah, He provided him with nourishment and, later, a priceless gift. Because God came to Elijah and spoke with him, encouraged him, gave him advice.

It’s hard sometimes to see God in the darkness that accompanies discouragement and fatigue. It’s difficult to believe that life might ever be better. That you’ll ever be strong enough to handle the never-ending demands. That the criticism and knocks don’t have to define who you are.

Always remember that you are never alone in that dismal place. God never leaves you. He doesn’t berate you or criticize you or call you selfish because you’re too tired to pretend anymore. He comes to you wherever you are and strengthens you.

So when you feel like you can’t face another day and that there will never be a better tomorrow, take it to God. Ask Him to help you and strengthen you and guide you. He will. Every time.