Guided by Grace: Vision Casting With Purposeنموونە

Elijah – Pursuing Mental Health Goals for Rest and Renewal

Since the global pandemic, mental health has become a significant focus for living a life with greater peace and God’s presence. When committing to improving your mental health, it's important to lean on scriptures that support that goal. We all want to be strong but also have peace within.

Elijah’s story in 1 Kings 17–19 illustrates the importance of self-care, emotional well-being, and seeking support during difficult times. Elijah shows us that even the most faithful servants of God can experience burnout. We can use his roadmap as an example.

Recognizing the Need for Rest

Elijah’s mental health challenges stemmed from burnout and exhaustion. After an intense confrontation with the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled to the wilderness, completely overwhelmed and physically drained. In his despair, he cried out to God in 1 Kings 19:4, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life.”

It’s essential to recognize when we need rest and to prioritize self-care. We must continually create space for rest and renewal in our lives.

Seeking God’s Presence

In the midst of Elijah’s turmoil, God met him not through dramatic events but in a gentle whisper. This highlights the importance of seeking God’s presence in quiet moments. Establishing a routine of prayer and reflection can help us find peace and clarity amid life's chaos.

We must cultivate moments of stillness and listen for God’s voice to understand how He wants to rejuvenate and revive us. In verses 11–12, the Lord encouraged Elijah:

"Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

What I noticed about this scripture is that Elijah was looking for God in the obvious places He could have shown up. But instead, God appeared in the quietest, most unexpected way. God knew exactly what Elijah needed and how to deliver it.

Elijah’s journey is a profound reminder of the importance of mental health and the need for rest, renewal, and divine connection. His 40-day spirit-led journey brought him to a place where he could meet God, receive peace, and continue pressing toward the mark of his high calling. Elijah demonstrated the vital need to care for our emotional and mental well-being.

Finding Support in Community

Elijah’s story also reminds us that we don’t have to face our struggles alone. After his encounter with God, Elijah was instructed to anoint Elisha as his successor. This act of finding support illustrates God’s care and provision for Elijah’s emotional and spiritual needs.

In 1 Kings 19:19–20, we see Elijah finding Elisha:

"So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah.‘Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,’ he said,‘and then I will come with you.’”

For the next few years, Elijah took time to train Elisha, preparing him to carry the anointing placed on his life. This gesture shows how much God loved Elijah and wanted to protect his gift. It also underscores the importance of relationships and support systems.

If you’re questioning who you can turn to in times of exhaustion, I firmly believe in the value of therapy. I am also committed to walking this path with a Spiritual Director. Another form of self-care includes prayer practices. I rely on breath prayers and lectio divina, both of which are natural and spiritual practices that support and heal mental health challenges.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for showing us how to protect and deal with our mental health. Give us the ability to recognize when rest is needed. As we seek Your presence teach us how to cultivate stillness and listen for Your gentle whisper. Maybe find strength in community and support as we actively pursue the goal to mental health goals. In Jesus’ name, Amen.