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Depression

When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.
—1 Kings 19:1-2 (NLT)

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
—1 Kings 9:3-4 (NLT)

Four Keys to Win in the Valley of Depression:

1. Perspective
“Before any great achievement, some measure of the same depression is very usual…. Such was my experience when I first became a pastor in London….This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry.”
—Charles Spurgeon


2. People
Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day.
—1 Kings 19:4 (NLT)
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
—Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)


3. God’s Presence
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
—Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)

But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
—1 Kings 19:9-10 (NLT)

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
—1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT)


4. Purpose
Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came…
—1 Kings 19:15 (NLT)