What Your Mind Needs for Anxious MomentsSample

The prophet Eiljah experienced multiple miracles, and we might assume that after witnessing God's provision and power, he never doubted or felt anxiety. But that isn't true! In 1 Kings 18, there's a spiritual showdown. The rules are simple: The 950 pagan prophets and Elijah each build an altar to the god they worship. Then they call down fire to burn up a sacrifice on that altar. Whoever’s god responds...will win.

The prophets of Baal try to no avail. Elijah taunts them, then prays to God, who immediately responded. God even went above and beyond! It's incredible, but then Elijah receives a death threat. He's “afraid” and flees “for his life.” Then he sits down under a tree and tells God he’s done, just take him home to heaven. Then he lies down and falls asleep.

This scene in Scripture is endearingly human. Haven’t we all had moments of anxiety and exhaustion, even when we’ve just seen God work in our lives? God’s response to this situation is so reassuring. He didn’t rebuke Elijah; instead, He sent an angel with snacks and water while Elijah took a nap. God didn’t reason with Elijah when He was physically depleted. He didn’t offer clichés or tell him to get over it. Instead, because He created our bodies, God knows sometimes what we need when we’re anxious is to pray, and other times it’s to pause and deal with what’s going on in our bodies.

Then Elijah “got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God”. If you are exhausted, hungry, thirsty, or physically depleted, it’s okay to deal with that first. Often once we do so, our anxiety level will go down and we’ll be able to move forward as Elijah did. If not, at least we’ll be in a better, more rested state to address our anxiety in whatever other ways are needed.

Yes, we are filled with the mighty, supernatural power of God—the same power that sent down fire from heaven and raised Jesus from the dead. But for now, that power dwells within a very human body. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is have a snack and a glass of water, then take a nap.

PRAYER: God, I’m so grateful for your extraordinary compassion toward my humanity. Sometimes I’m so much harder on myself than You are. Help me be aware of not just what my soul needs but my body too. Thank You that every provision, whether spiritual or physical, is a gift from You. Amen

REFLECT: Think about the last time you were physically depleted in a way that increased your anxiety. Write three things (for example: to nap or to snack) that would help your body the next time you experience that kind of depletion.