New Days, Old Demons: A Study of ElijahSýnishorn

What Causes and Cures Spiritual Depression?

At some point, even the godliest person experiences discouragement, and even depression. This is a normal part of the Christian life, and something many people battle like a dark shadow. In the book of Psalms, the largest category is “lament” – people who are discouraged, fearful, and even depressed, processing their emotional struggles in prayer and song. There’s even an entire book of the Bible called “Lamentations”, and entire sections of books of the Bible like Jeremiah that explore the depths of spiritual depression and lamenting.

In this scene from 1 Kings 19:1-8, we see Elijah go from the highest of highs calling down fire from Heaven on Mount Carmel and God bringing rain in answer to his plea after three years, to running for his life. Despite seeing God do the impossible for him, Jezebel’s threat to kill Elijah came with demonic oppression so powerful that he “ran for his life ... into the wilderness ... And he asked that he might die, saying, ‘It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.’ And he lay down and slept under a broom tree.” Jezebel was so possessed that the demonic in and around her came over and oppressed Elijah.

Jezebel is the most extreme example of a domineering, overbearing, controlling wife. She doubled down on control after the demonic “gods” she demanded be worshipped in Israel lost the battle on Mount Carmel to the real God of whom she had torn down the churches, closed the Bible teaching schools, and killed the prophets. This is the telltale sign of the demonic Jezebel spirit – control at all costs, emotional fury, and a complete unwillingness to repent. She makes an oath to her demon “gods” that Elijah will be martyred for standing up for his God. Her demonic power is so great that it overwhelms Elijah.

Elijah is spiritually depressed, meaning he is overwhelmed and depleted in all areas. Physically, he is simply worn out and exhausted following the adrenaline letdown he was experiencing, following a demonic battle and run of at least 10 miles, followed by an additional long hike to hide in the wilderness. Spiritually, the demonic battle he fought has his soul disoriented and exhausted. Mentally, he is ground down by the constant attacks and threats and can no longer process information in a healthy manner. Emotionally, “he was afraid”, and unable to operate in faith and likely under attack from the demonic “spirit of fear”.

What should comfort us in this scene is that Elijah had run from everyone, but God pursed him, not for rebuke, but for recovery. We’ve all been where Elijah was, and thankfully our God is patient with us, moves past our worst moments, and comes to help us get to a better version of ourselves. The world desperately needs more people who follow His example.

Of all the emotions mentioned of Jesus in the Bible, the one that appears most frequently is “compassion” – the very thing that God has for Elijah and all His other servants, including you. God’s recovery plan for Elijah, as outlined next, should give us wisdom and permission to share these same means of grace with others and apply them to ourselves.

Elijah was the greatest Old Testament prophet along with Moses. When the Bible says that he was like us, it also means that you are like him. God took care of him, and God wants to meet with you, care for you, and give your self permission for self-care without wrongly thinking you are being selfish. The truth is, God often treats us better than we treat ourselves.

Later we will even see how God not only spared the life of this man who wanted to die, but took him to Heaven before he ever tasted death. On one occasion, many years later, Elijah would come down with Moses to also see Jesus transfigured on a mountain. Elijah, at times, despaired of his life, but he could not have imagined the good and glory that God had planned for him. The same is true for you: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”.

Get a journal and process some significant struggle in your own life by writing your own prayerful lament to God.