Suicidal thoughts can happen to anyone
Even Elijah, a powerful warrior prophet struggled with this and prayed that God would end his life.
What happened?
Here's why one reason why Elijah struggled with suicide...
Mental Exhaustion.
Elijah just had the greatest victory of his life. 400 prophets of Baal get slain. God shows up in the form of fire and Elijah has so much excitement that he runs to his next location 25 miles away, faster than Ahab's horse. The hand of the Lord was upon Him.
Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. (1 Kings 19:2-3)
Before he knows it, he's running again. This time out of fear
It went from excitement and running in the spirit to fear running in the flesh for his life.
Where was the break?
Where was the private prayer time?
Where was the devotion in the secret place to get refueled?
He didn't get a chance.
Sometimes life happens fast.
We get another task or another opportunity, and we're running for God maybe because His hand is upon us or maybe because we're scared we won't be able to pay rent
Either way, we need to rest in His presence
Without His presence we will get exhausted, feel burnt out, or pray that it would all just end
Pray after victory. Pray after what the enemy wants you to believe is defeat. Pray to God. Seek His face. Rest in His presence.
The enemy doesn't want you to bear the fruit of the Spirit
Jesus is the true vine
He says in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Without Jesus we can do nothing.
Don't do it alone. Do it with Jesus. Find community. Talk through these thoughts with others
Let's look at how God responds to Elijah after he prays prayers of death
Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. (1 Kings 19:5)
God sent an Angel to bake him a cake and he took a nap.
It's ok to rest.
Who's ministry is it really? Who's bank account is it? Who's business it? Who's job is it? Who is the provider?
Is it you or God?
Let Him sustain you. Watch out for the works of the flesh and selfish ambition
Nurture your mind with His word and His presence.
Eat a cake and take a nap in His presence and just be mindful if you're every slipping down the slope of exhaustion.
It should be a daily devotion. A daily surrender.
3 Keys to Overcome Exhaustion:
#1 Trust God and His promises
The enemy comes to oppress and destroy. In these times we need to trust the Angel and the Word God sends to us.
#2 Be able to openly receive God's blessings
The cake was a blessing. The nap was a blessing. God sends help. Be open to receive it
#3 Press into His promise
Elijah got up and pressed back into God's calling because he knew the journey ahead was great. Get rest and keep on going. You have a purpose. God will guide you.
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