How to Lead in Uncertain TimesSýnishorn

Fueled by Fellowship

Over the last two days, we've seen how Elijah experienced uncertainty in the aftermath of death threats from King Ahab and Jezebel. Despite the fact that God had recently given him a great victory over 450 prophets of Baal, Elijah was unsure about his future, feeling quite discouraged and depressed. Among other things, physical fatigue and a lack of spiritual focus were contributing to his uncertainty. Today we're going to consider a third factor that played a part in his growing anxiety and fear about the future – a lack of fellowship. After his life was threatened, Elijah ran into the desert (probably not too many folks hanging out there) and, even worse, hidden in a cave (definitely nobody there).

"… he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night." – (1 Kings 19: 8b-9)

By doing so, he isolated himself from all community and any hope of emotional support. He is certainly not unique in this regard. We have a tendency to move toward isolation when what we need most is community. It is a strange but fairly common response to fear and anxiety, but God has a better answer: get back in the game! When God finally gets him out of the cave, Elijah starts in like a broken record, complaining about his situation, but God doesn't have time for self-pity. He knows Elijah needs fellowship and tells him that he is not alone in facing down the idolatrous ways of Israel.

"Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." – (1 Kings 19:18)

When God gets him out of the cave, he reinstates him; he puts him back to work. He did so because God knew if he didn't, Elijah was going to go right back into that cave. That's the thing about discouragement and depression. If we don't ultimately put some distance between ourselves and whatever it is that has us down, we will fall right back into it. God knew that Elijah not only needed to get busy but get busy with the community of the faithful. Fellowship with others gives us courage, emotional strength, and perspective – the very best weapons in our battles with uncertainty.

How about you? How do you deal with seasons of uncertainty – withdraw or move toward others? Can you recall a time when the Body of Christ carried you through such a season? What did they do to minister to you at that time?

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