another step in GOD's remedy for depression is don't suppress your frustrations; tell them to GOD. 1 kings 19.9-10 (niv), then he [Elijah] went into a cave and spent the night. and the word of the LORD came to him: “what are you doing here, elijah?” he replied, “i have been very zealous for the LORD GOD almighty. the israelites have rejected YOUr covenant, broken down YOUr altars, and put YOUr prophets to death with the sword. i am the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me too.
he just poured out all of his inner feelings. GOD let him let off steam. GOD was not shocked. GOD says, “when you're uptight, let me hear your inner emotions. i already know what they are. i'm not going to be shocked by them.” he allowed elijah to express pent up emotions without criticizing him or condemning him.
sometimes it helps to have a CHRISTian friend to share with. it's a catharsis, a cleansing, a venting. all that stuff that's been pushed down inside is going to cause depression.
notice the six emotions elijah had. verse 3 of 1 kings 19 says elijah was afraid. he had fear. verse 4 he had resentment. he said, “1’m fed up with it. then he said, “I’m no better than my ancestors.” that was low self-esteem. he felt guilty. then in verse 10 he says, “I’ve worked hard for nothing.” he was angry. then in the last part of verse 10 he says “I’m all alone.” he was lonely. then he said “and they’re trying to kill me too.” he was worried.
when you take fear and resentment and guilt and low self-esteem and anger and loneliness and worry, you're asking for depression. and GOD just let him spew it all out. he just said, “elijah, what's bugging you? what's on your chest? what's frustrating you? what's eating you?” GOD just let him spill it all out.
sometimes that's what we need to do. don't repress it or express or suppress it, confess it to the LORD.
just a thought from the front porch…
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