Leaving the Pity Party

[Elijah] ... sat down under a juniper tree: ... and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." - 1st Kings 19:4 (KJV)

Elijah threw a Pity Party! He felt abandoned and his efforts futile; even thought of suicide.

Four (4) things got him out of it - they work for us, too.

And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 1st Kings 19:6 (KJV)

1) He ate something nourishing - diet, or lack thereof, affects how we feel.

2) He got some sleep. Studies have shown when we don't get enough sleep we suffer emotionally.

3) He got alone with God, vented some, then listened.

And he arose, ... and went ...unto Horeb the mount of God ... unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him - 1st Kings 19:8-9

Jesus opened the way for us to have direct access to God¹; it's no longer the privilege of a few holy men. So utilize the opportunity paid for by Jesus.

Don't miss getting alone with God - vent, cry, even argue with Him but don't give him the cold shoulder, He's the only one who can pull you out! Take the Bible with you, let Him speak to you through it!

4) God gave him a task.

And the LORD said unto him, "Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room." - 1st Kings 19:15-16 (KJV)

Do something that takes your focus off of you and what you don't like. God has plenty of opportunities for service².

Pity Parties accomplish nothing; get some nourishment, get some rest, get alone with God to vent and listen, then get going for Jesus; feelings will come along.

- fritz

¹ Hebrews 10:19-23
² Purpose for "Lost" Causes