how to get discouraged

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. . . . 15 The Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.” 1 Kings 19:11-15

On almost every page of Scripture we meet people just like us. Take Elijah. We read that he “was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17). In 1 Kings 19, we read that the prophet was rebounding from a huge victory and had become deeply discouraged in three easy steps.

Step #1: He insisted on being by himself. Physically exhausted and emotionally spent, Elijah shut out what he needed most—people to love him, support him, and who would give him a reality check.

Step #2: He focused on the negative. Alone, Elijah lost his grip on the truth. He thought, I alone am left. (No, he wasn't.) I have accomplished nothing. (God had done amazing things through him.) I have wasted my whole life. (Self-pity had replaced joy.)

Step #3: He forgot God's provision. Wasn't this the same guy who had killed 450 false prophets and obliterated idolatry in Israel a couple of days earlier? Elijah had been God's tool in the miraculous, but that was simply in his rearview mirror now.

Here's the good news—Elijah didn't stay discouraged. He met with God and let him change his perspective. You may need the same thing. If you're discouraged:

Let God confront you. God found Elijah in a cave and asked him, Elijah, what are you doing here? In spite of Elijah's lame excuses, God wasn't angry or judgmental; he just ministered grace to him.

Let God care for you. God said, Go stand outside. Protected against an earthquake, a windstorm, and fire, Elijah heard God whisper, It's me, Elijah. You can trust me. God then sent food and provided rest to rejuvenate Elijah's body and soul.

Immediately do what God says. God then gave Elijah specific instructions. Get up. Get back in the game! What God asked of him, he did immediately.

Step out in faith and leave discouragement behind you. God meets people just like us at our point of greatest need. But, graciously, he doesn't leave us there. —James MacDonald walkintheword.com

seeking: Father, what encouragement have you just brought to me? What praise will I bring you this moment for all you have done for me?

responding: What pattern of my thinking do I need to replace with truth? Where do I need to go for encouragement? Who can help me?

Lord, you have been so faithful to me. My eyes have been focused on some negative stuff and I have been pushing people away. Will you receive the cares that I cast upon you? Will you heal my heart? In faith, I thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.

following: Meet God in your discouragement and find his way out.

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