Passage of the Day:
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid[a] 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. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night, 1 Kings 19:1-9.
Reflection:
When I was in eighth grade, I lost the will to live just like Elijah. While Elijah recently experienced a big victory in 1 Kings 18, I had nothing to celebrate. My only talent at this time in my life was athletics, but my soul was empty and void of any purpose. According to one Old Testament prophet, people perish due to a lack of knowledge and vision, Hosea 4:6. Perhaps, this is why suicidal thought entered my mind as a young teenager.
Prayerful Action:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7.
Renewing Your Mind:
Depression has a way of making you feel hopeless, dwelling on all the negative aspects of your life. Genesis 4:6-7 takes you into the mind of an envious and jealous young man. Whenever depressed people allow evil thoughts into their mind, the desire to act upon these thoughts are conceived. This is why the apostle Paul urges Christians to take a proactive approach by searching for a way out of temptation.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it, 1 Corinthians 10:13.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 