Hurt Help Hope: A 5-Day Grief Devotional for TeensSample

Taking Care of You

Grief brings a flood of emotions that can wear us down emotionally. It is easy to ignore the physical toll that these emotions have on us, but eventually, we can’t deny our exhaustion anymore. In 1 Kings 19 the prophet Elijah had the same problem.

Overwhelmed with stress and desperation and running from his enemies has completely exhausted him. (Read 1 Kings 19:1-9 to get the whole picture.) When we meet Elijah here, he is asking God to take his life because he cannot go on any longer. God lovingly responds by sending an angel, not to talk him out of his feelings or give him an inspiring message, but to give him bread and water and to tell him to take a nap. Carbs. God sent an angel to give his prophet carbs. Instead of giving him protein or sugar to power him ahead, God knew that what Elijah needed was comfort food and some sleep.

God knows that it is hard to focus on his truth when we neglect what our body needs. When the emotional toll of grief is too much for you to bear, God encourages you through the prophet Elijah— make sure that you have some good food and rest. If your sadness is causing sleepless nights and a loss of appetite, find ways to love your body.

If God had just stopped here, then this would be the perfect excuse to wallow in bed eating ice cream. Isn’t that taking care of your body? But God had bigger plans in store for Elijah. After giving him space to recharge, God sent Elijah on his way, fully renewed. God didn’t give up on him and say, “You’re not strong enough. I’ll leave you to sit around and eat.” No! Every Bible story is about God working his great plan through people who are not strong enough. He did it for Elijah; he’ll do it for you too!

If you are feeling weak and worn thin by emotions, take God’s advice and get some rest. Take care of your body because it is the vehicle through which you live out God’s plan for you.