3 Reminders for Your Hardest Days 1. God’s Not Mad at You In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was exhausted. Queen Jezebel had threatened to kill him. Isolated and despairing, Elijah became so depressed, he prayed for death: “I have had enough, Lord…Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV). If you’ve ever whispered those words, you’re not alone. In my lowest points—when I asked God, “What’s wrong with me?”, he responded with empathy and love (Psalms 14:2, TPT). God didn’t rebuke Elijah for his depression, and he doesn’t rebuke you for yours. Instead, he sent an angel—twice—with bread and water because “the journey [was] too much” for him. Strengthened, Elijah was able to travel forty days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:5-9). Even in our lowest places, God nourishes our souls so we can keep moving forward. Sometimes, that nourishment comes through physical food and rest; other times, it’s a walk outside, a session with a counselor, or simply space to breathe. All of it is a gift from God. 2. God’s Not Ashamed of You When you’re feeling defeated or overwhelmed, finding the light can seem impossible. But God wasn’t mad at Elijah for struggling, and he’s not ashamed of you either. Depression and anxiety often carry shame, but God welcomes your need. One thing we often overlook in Elijah’s story is that even after witnessing miracle after miracle, he still doubted. Not only did God provide food and water for Elijah in 1 Kings 19, but prior to that, he had been fed by ravens (1Kings 17:4), God used him to announce the beginning and end of a drought (1 Kings 17:1, 18:45), and he even raised a widow’s son from the dead (1 Kings 17:22)! Life comes with mountaintop moments when God’s goodness is evident, and life is awesome. But there will also be rock-bottom lows, times when you feel anxious, numb, abandoned, and afraid. Even though you know he is good, that knowing doesn’t always translate into our hearts. These are the moments when you need to cling to this truth: God isn’t ashamed of you. He meets you in the Valley of the Shadow of Death nd sits with you there. He’s there in the sorrow and sunshine because his love doesn’t depend on how you feel. Still, depression and anxiety often bring heavy blankets of shame. We wonder, “If I trusted God, would I still feel this way?” So, like Elijah, we flee. Retreat. Isolate. We trade God’s past wonders for this present worry. But even in hiding or isolation, God doesn’t bring condemnation—he brings grace. He’s not ashamed of you in the cave. He sits with you in it and helps call you out. And that’s exactly what he did with Elijah. 3. God is with You Elijah, still depressed, was led to a cave. God asked him, “What are you doing here?” (1 Kings 19:8-9). Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord … [but] I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:10). Can you sense the apprehension? God didn’t argue. Instead, he told Elijah to stand on the mountain. A powerful wind, earthquake, and fire passed by. But God wasn’t in those forces. Then came a gentle whisper. That’s where Elijah heard him. God asked again, “What are you doing here?” Then he gave Elijah a new mission: to return and appoint new leaders, Jehu and Elisha, who were ready to confront the enemy head-on (1 Kings 19:13-17). But even more than that, God revealed that Elijah wasn’t actually alone—God had preserved 7,000 faithful people in Israel (1 Kings 19:18). Elijah wasn’t as alone as he felt, and neither are we. If you’re in the thick of depression or anxiety, it may be difficult to see a way out. It’s hard to believe God loves you amid the struggle. But just as God spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice, he’s speaking gently to us today. God sees you right where you are. Just as he cared for Elijah, his response to your weakness and pain meets you in your present and points you toward your purpose. As Elijah traveled back to the Desert of Damascus, God didn’t take away Elijah’s depression. No magic wand was waved or quick fix offered as a solution. God did, however, provide rest, food, water, and the support of others so Elijah would be well-equipped for the journey. And following the Lord’s commands, Elijah called Elisha to be his servant and obey the instructions he’d been given. Though it wouldn’t be until much later that Elijah’s enemies would be defeated and God’s purposes for Elijah fulfilled. This tells me two things: Elijah may have still been struggling. But he knew that God was with him—even in the dark.

3 Reminders for Your Hardest Days 1. God’s Not Mad at You In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was exhausted. Queen Jezebel had threatened to kill him. Isolated and despairing, Elijah became so depressed, he prayed for death: “I have had enough, Lord…Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV). If you’ve ever whispered those words, you’re not alone. In my lowest points—when I asked God, “What’s wrong with me?”, he responded with empathy and love (Psalms 14:2, TPT). God didn’t rebuke Elijah for his depression, and he doesn’t rebuke you for yours. Instead, he sent an angel—twice—with bread and water because “the journey [was] too much” for him. Strengthened, Elijah was able to travel forty days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:5-9). Even in our lowest places, God nourishes our souls so we can keep moving forward. Sometimes, that nourishment comes through physical food and rest; other times, it’s a walk outside, a session with a counselor, or simply space to breathe. All of it is a gift from God. 2. God’s Not Ashamed of You When you’re feeling defeated or overwhelmed, finding the light can seem impossible. But God wasn’t mad at Elijah for struggling, and he’s not ashamed of you either. Depression and anxiety often carry shame, but God welcomes your need. One thing we often overlook in Elijah’s story is that even after witnessing miracle after miracle, he still doubted. Not only did God provide food and water for Elijah in 1 Kings 19, but prior to that, he had been fed by ravens (1Kings 17:4), God used him to announce the beginning and end of a drought (1 Kings 17:1, 18:45), and he even raised a widow’s son from the dead (1 Kings 17:22)! Life comes with mountaintop moments when God’s goodness is evident, and life is awesome. But there will also be rock-bottom lows, times when you feel anxious, numb, abandoned, and afraid. Even though you know he is good, that knowing doesn’t always translate into our hearts. These are the moments when you need to cling to this truth: God isn’t ashamed of you. He meets you in the Valley of the Shadow of Death nd sits with you there. He’s there in the sorrow and sunshine because his love doesn’t depend on how you feel. Still, depression and anxiety often bring heavy blankets of shame. We wonder, “If I trusted God, would I still feel this way?” So, like Elijah, we flee. Retreat. Isolate. We trade God’s past wonders for this present worry. But even in hiding or isolation, God doesn’t bring condemnation—he brings grace. He’s not ashamed of you in the cave. He sits with you in it and helps call you out. And that’s exactly what he did with Elijah. 3. God is with You Elijah, still depressed, was led to a cave. God asked him, “What are you doing here?” (1 Kings 19:8-9). Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord … [but] I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:10). Can you sense the apprehension? God didn’t argue. Instead, he told Elijah to stand on the mountain. A powerful wind, earthquake, and fire passed by. But God wasn’t in those forces. Then came a gentle whisper. That’s where Elijah heard him. God asked again, “What are you doing here?” Then he gave Elijah a new mission: to return and appoint new leaders, Jehu and Elisha, who were ready to confront the enemy head-on (1 Kings 19:13-17). But even more than that, God revealed that Elijah wasn’t actually alone—God had preserved 7,000 faithful people in Israel (1 Kings 19:18). Elijah wasn’t as alone as he felt, and neither are we. If you’re in the thick of depression or anxiety, it may be difficult to see a way out. It’s hard to believe God loves you amid the struggle. But just as God spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice, he’s speaking gently to us today. God sees you right where you are. Just as he cared for Elijah, his response to your weakness and pain meets you in your present and points you toward your purpose. As Elijah traveled back to the Desert of Damascus, God didn’t take away Elijah’s depression. No magic wand was waved or quick fix offered as a solution. God did, however, provide rest, food, water, and the support of others so Elijah would be well-equipped for the journey. And following the Lord’s commands, Elijah called Elisha to be his servant and obey the instructions he’d been given. Though it wouldn’t be until much later that Elijah’s enemies would be defeated and God’s purposes for Elijah fulfilled. This tells me two things: Elijah may have still been struggling. But he knew that God was with him—even in the dark. 1. God’s Not Mad at You In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was exhausted. Queen Jezebel had threatened to kill him. Isolated and despairing, Elijah became so depressed, he prayed for death: “I have had enough, Lord…Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV). If you’ve ever whispered those words, you’re not alone. In my lowest points—when I asked God, “What’s wrong with me?”, he responded with empathy and love (Psalms 14:2, TPT). God didn’t rebuke Elijah for his depression, and he doesn’t rebuke you for yours. Instead, he sent an angel—twice—with bread and water because “the journey [was] too much” for him. Strengthened, Elijah was able to travel forty days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:5-9). Even in our lowest places, God nourishes our souls so we can keep moving forward. Sometimes, that nourishment comes through physical food and rest; other times, it’s a walk outside, a session with a counselor, or simply space to breathe. All of it is a gift from God. 2. God’s Not Ashamed of You When you’re feeling defeated or overwhelmed, finding the light can seem impossible. But God wasn’t mad at Elijah for struggling, and he’s not ashamed of you either. Depression and anxiety often carry shame, but God welcomes your need. One thing we often overlook in Elijah’s story is that even after witnessing miracle after miracle, he still doubted. Not only did God provide food and water for Elijah in 1 Kings 19, but prior to that, he had been fed by ravens (1Kings 17:4), God used him to announce the beginning and end of a drought (1 Kings 17:1, 18:45), and he even raised a widow’s son from the dead (1 Kings 17:22)! Life comes with mountaintop moments when God’s goodness is evident, and life is awesome. But there will also be rock-bottom lows, times when you feel anxious, numb, abandoned, and afraid. Even though you know he is good, that knowing doesn’t always translate into our hearts. These are the moments when you need to cling to this truth: God isn’t ashamed of you. He meets you in the Valley of the Shadow of Death nd sits with you there. He’s there in the sorrow and sunshine because his love doesn’t depend on how you feel. Still, depression and anxiety often bring heavy blankets of shame. We wonder, “If I trusted God, would I still feel this way?” So, like Elijah, we flee. Retreat. Isolate. We trade God’s past wonders for this present worry. But even in hiding or isolation, God doesn’t bring condemnation—he brings grace. He’s not ashamed of you in the cave. He sits with you in it and helps call you out. And that’s exactly what he did with Elijah. 3. God is with You Elijah, still depressed, was led to a cave. God asked him, “What are you doing here?” (1 Kings 19:8-9). Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord … [but] I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:10). Can you sense the apprehension? God didn’t argue. Instead, he told Elijah to stand on the mountain. A powerful wind, earthquake, and fire passed by. But God wasn’t in those forces. Then came a gentle whisper. That’s where Elijah heard him. God asked again, “What are you doing here?” Then he gave Elijah a new mission: to return and appoint new leaders, Jehu and Elisha, who were ready to confront the enemy head-on (1 Kings 19:13-17). But even more than that, God revealed that Elijah wasn’t actually alone—God had preserved 7,000 faithful people in Israel (1 Kings 19:18). Elijah wasn’t as alone as he felt, and neither are we. If you’re in the thick of depression or anxiety, it may be difficult to see a way out. It’s hard to believe God loves you amid the struggle. But just as God spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice, he’s speaking gently to us today. God sees you right where you are. Just as he cared for Elijah, his response to your weakness and pain meets you in your present and points you toward your purpose. As Elijah traveled back to the Desert of Damascus, God didn’t take away Elijah’s depression. No magic wand was waved or quick fix offered as a solution. God did, however, provide rest, food, water, and the support of others so Elijah would be well-equipped for the journey. And following the Lord’s commands, Elijah called Elisha to be his servant and obey the instructions he’d been given. Though it wouldn’t be until much later that Elijah’s enemies would be defeated and God’s purposes for Elijah fulfilled. This tells me two things: Elijah may have still been struggling. But he knew that God was with him—even in the dark.