Our Pity Party

So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!”3 Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there, 4 but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “[I have had] enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers.”

1 Kings 19:2-4 (HCSB)

Elijah has a moment of weakness. Are you surprised? Did you think that only happens to you? You do have pity parties from time to time, don't you? I know I do. In my humanness I forget that I am a Christ Follower and I feel sorry for myself.

Elijah is threatened. He allows his fear to get the better of him. And then despair sinks into him. Despair can be the most debilitating emotion that we have. Despair is when are fears seem to overwhelm us to the point we just can't function and we don't really care.

Don't let that happen to you! When you start to throw your own pity party decide you just won't cut the cake. Don't send out any invitations. Promptly cancel the party. Fear and despair are real but you must choose not to participate. We must turn to God and seek His refuge, His strength, and His comfort.

He is there and He will help you. Cry out to Him!

Depressed?

Why am I so depressed?

Why this turmoil within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him,

my Savior and my God.

Psalms 43:5 (HCSB)

This is an important word for the Christ Follower. I have met many who beat themselves up because sometime we get depressed. Understand that even King David, a man after God's own heart sometimes was depressed. We live in a fallen and depraved World and frankly that can be a little discouraging at times.
David asks himself why am I depressed? Why is this turmoil within me? He really never finds an answer. At least he doesn't share it in Psalm 43. But he does find a solution. Put your hope in God and praise Him.
I think there is an important principle here for the Christ follower. Hope and praise. Hope is not a might happen or wishful thinking. It is a certainty that we serve a great and powerful God who loves us very much. He never leaves us and He never forsakes us. So praise Him. Nothing will draw us out of depression faster than praising God. If we spend a little time reflecting on how great God is and all He has given us rather than our self pity and complaints, we might find the clouds of depression and discouragement dissipating.
So if you are depressed today don't beat yourself up and make yourself more discouraged. Hope and praise our awesome God!