I'VE HAD ENOUGH!

No doubt, dear friends, now and then in your grief, you come to a place in your mind and heart where you just can’t bear it anymore. Your head knows that reading Scripture and talking to God could help, but you have no energy or inclination for either. You could not feel more alone. You are on the Isle of Despair.

I wish I could offer a pill, or a statement, or an activity of some kind that would fix what you’re feeling; BUT – there truly is NO OTHER PLACE we can go when we’ve reached the end of ourselves. But to God.

It happened to Elijah. Yes – there I go – sending you to Scripture when I just acknowledged to you that, when you are hurting, you might think, “Reading Scripture right now won’t work! My grief is too deep this time.”

But, I am so convinced that God has an answer to every single one of life’s concerns, that I can’t withhold the following from you:

In I Kings 19 we read that the prophet, Elijah, had just witnessed the most miraculous display of God's power EVER on Mount Carmel. He defeated 450 prophets of Baal. The people who were witnesses to the event resoundingly declared, "The LORD, He is God!!!"

Elijah is riding high!

But his life changes in an instant. (That’s likely been your experience – the one that has plunged you into grief!) Elijah learns that the King’s wife, Jezebel, has threatened to have him killed. He runs into the wilderness, feeling despondent and alone. After walking for an entire day into the desert, he sat down under a bush and asked to die! He told God, “I have had enough!”

Elijah was no slouch when it came to his love for God. He was a strong Believer. But, as it can happen even to the strongest of Believers, because of circumstances, Elijah became exhausted and paralyzed with fear and hopelessness. There simply are times in our life when all seems in vain, and hopelessness creeps in, to the point of just wanting to end it all.  But the Lord in His mercy and compassion knows exactly where we are and what we need. And because we have a relationship with the Living God, He will come to our rescue.

How did God rescue Elijah? It was pretty simple. He nourished Elijah’s body with food and water. He rested his body with sleep. And, then He repeated the process! God didn’t scold, or lecture, He just provided the most practical: eat, drink, sleep!

Friend, The Lord understands that "The journey is too hard, too difficult, too great for you." (1 Kings 19:7) He invites you to “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusts in Him. (Psalm 34:8)

When fear and hopelessness crushes your spirit and there seems to be no end in sight, expect the Lord in those critical times to rescue and get you through.