Elijah is a very prominent prophet in the Old Testament and was used as an analogy for John the Baptizer’s ministry, the one who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Pastor Paul Kauri writes.

He even made an appearance, alongside Moses on the mountain where Jesus became a bright light. God did extraordinary things through him, and yet James described him as an “ordinary man just like us” James 5:17.  Yet throughout his life, it seemed as though he was constantly dealing with discouragement and burnout, if not depression.

He is first introduced to us in 1 Kings 17. He declares a Prophecy of “NO RAIN” over Israel, and for three years, there was not a single drop of rain. During that time, he was given bread by ravens to sustain him, and water to drink from a nearby brook. Then by the Word of The LORD he commands a widow to feed him first before she fed herself and her son their last meal, yet their food never ran out. Sometime later when this woman’s son died, Elijah raises him back to life!

His most famous story takes place on Mount Carmel when he confronts King Ahab and the 850 false prophets in a showdown to see whose God is GOD, either the god of Baal and Ashera or The LORD GOD, YHWH.

After an all-day prayer meeting, the false prophets of Baal and Asherah resorted to desperate measure in a futile attempt to wake up their gods, but their gods must have been away because they were a no show, and they had nothing to show!

Elijah’s response verged on mocking the enemy. He saturated his offering three times till the trenches around that altar were filled with water, and with his face raised toward heaven, he prayed one prayer, and the God of Heaven and Earth responded with a blaze of fire consuming the sacrifice, the altar, and all the water in the trenches, and the rest, as they say, is history. (at least it was for 850 false prophets on Mount Carmel)

But his story continued. He raced ahead of The King’s chariot, on foot! (and he won!)! He prophesied for rains to come, and praise God the rains came! He thought he was the only prophet of The LORD left alive, and GOD had to speak to him to encourage him of the others The LORD had reserved for himself.

After his race with the King’s chariot, he was so overcome by discouragement and burnt out that he asked The LORD to take his life. However, in his exhausted state he fell asleep. Sometime later the Lord woke him up and said, “get up and eat” The Lord had provided freshly baked bread over hot coals and a jar of water. After this had happened a second time, Elijah arose and went to hide in a cave, overcome by discouragement and depression. There in the cave, The LORD met Elijah to speak His Words to him.

So, what can we learn from Elijah’s story to help us Overcome Discouragement.

After Elijah’s first encounter with Ahab, and the encounter on Mount Carmel, the LORD provided food, water and rest to restore Elijah’s body and mind. However, in both encounters there was the Rhema Word of the LORD which restored Elijah’s soul and spirit. As David sang in his Psalm, “He leads me beside still waters to restore my soul” Ps 23:2

1. The First Key to Overcoming Discouragement: Ensure you’re eating well, drinking lots of water and resting with sleep. AND ensure that you read His Word and Pray so that you can hear His voice in a world full noise!

Elijah always thought he was on his own, even when he was met by allies or pursued by his successor, Elisha (who called him Father!) This way of thinking may have contributed to Elijah isolating himself when he hid in a cave, trying to process this burden on his own. Contrast this to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, who was so overcome to the point of death, yet Jesus took his 11 disciples into the garden with him and then, he asked his three closest friends to pray with him, disclosing to them how he was feeling.

• The Second Key to Overcoming Discouragement: Don’t journey through your discouragement on your own. Be courageous enough to be vulnerable with a few people you can really trust and confide in them and ask them to pray with you.

Behind King Ahab was Queen Jezebel. She was a Phoenician woman who was controlling, manipulative, bound in witchcraft and most of all, she hated Elijah, which is why Ahab hated him too. The first two keys can help us with our body, and soul along with a company of good friends. But this third key must be fought in the Spirit with the weapons of warfare Christ has given us. Elijah’s ministry was being pursued by the spirit of witchcraft, which left him constantly discouraged, all alone often depressed and burnt out.

Have you ever considered that maybe the discouragement and depression you’re facing maybe a spiritual attack? Or maybe as you read this article God has dropped someone’s name into your heart who is going through this. You could be the very person to help them in prayer, like Jesus’ three closest friends.

Today, we have more in Christ than Elijah had in his day, yet the book of James said, “he was just like us”.  The Apostle Paul writes of Jesus that “… having disarmed the powers and authorities He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” Col 2:15

Your discouragement or burnout may be just as much a spiritual attack from the spirit of witchcraft or despair, as it is the need to look after yourself and to have good friends.

• The Third Key to Overcoming Discouragement: Are in Four Points:

PRAY:  

In Ephesians 6:10 – 20, prayer is a weapon against the enemy, so don’t put up with the discouragement, PRAY! And Prayer is simply talking to God. Read the text in Ephesians.

PROCLAIM:

Proclaiming God’s word activates heaven’s army. Psalm 103:20 reads, “even the angels harken to the voice of His Command” Your voice, proclaiming His Command moves the angels to action! Proclaim His Word OUT LOUD!

Col 2:13-15 is a great start!

PRAISE:

In Isaiah 61 we are given the Garment of Praise instead of the spirit of

Despair (notice how despair is a spirit?). Sing His praises, worship Him. Put on

worship music and let it play, in your car, office. Sing to Him! It is the best way

to change the atmosphere around you and to usher in His Presence. Worship

changes your position from earth to heaven.

SUBMIT:

The Bible tells us to, “Submit to God, Resist the devil and he must flee!”

James 4:7. Depression, or the assignment of witchcraft on you won’t flee, until

you first SUBMIT to God and secondly RESIST the enemy!

I pray these Three Keys, and Four Points help you to look after yourself and to fight the good fight! We have one or two wonderful counsellors on the island, but talk with your pastor, orometua, priest or elder, for they provide a spiritual covering for you.

Grace and Peace to you all.