“Recovering from spiritual depression (Pt. 1)”
Sermon series: Recovering from spiritual depression (Pt. 1)
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-8 (ESV)
Introduction:
Spiritual depression can come upon anyone in any way. Last week, we witnessed a climatic point in Elijah’s life and ministry: he won a mighty battle in the Name of the Lord against the false prophets at Mount Carmel, courageously declaring the power of God. In rain and fire, God had answered Elijah’s prayer. Though Elijah had personally experienced the sovereign might of God, he is quickly brought very low in the next few verses. Does this drop from a spiritual high sound familiar to you?
No one is immune to going through lows no matter how on fire they are spiritually. Today, we’ll be looking at some of the causes of spiritual depression, symptoms, and our response as God recovers and restores us.
Overview:
What are some of the causes of spiritual depression?
When you are disappointed
After great victories, there may be multiple vulnerabilities. After achieving great things you’ve been dreaming of for a while, at the end of it, you inevitably realize the emptiness of achieving it.
After a promotion at work.
After buying your dream house and moving in with your family.
After preaching on Sunday’s.
After giving and serving selflessly.
When you are fatigued
We all experienced overworking when the pandemic hit, with us working more hours though we save on commuting.
“Humans are the only creatures when they are lost, they run faster.”
Many times, we don’t really know what’s going on spiritually and mentally. Remaining in denial that we are burnt out. These are vulnerable times where we can become spiritually depressed.
When you loosen up
When we choose to live on borrowed energy and the stress and anxiety builds, we may end up experiencing an intentional or unanticipated letting go of all things, where we end up with more frustration and anxiousness.
During these moments of when you let go, the enemy may attack when you are most vulnerable.
Application:
What are some of the symptoms of spiritual depression?
Listening to distorted truth
“So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” (19:2)
Elijah was a man of God and a man of faith, yet in hearing Jezebel’s words (which Ahab had spoken to Elijah before), Elijah in going through spiritual depression, brought him low and broke him.
Have you experienced one person’s word or criticism, and it brought the world down?
Though Jezebel’s words were true in that he wanted to bring Elijah down, whose words have been speaking truth in Elijah’s life up to this point? God. It is God who is actually in control and whose words are truth, the one who provides and guides each step of Elijah’s life.
Elijah had obediently listened to each one of God’s words before, but now - Jezebel’s voice is louder than the voice of God. We let the voice of circumstance or someone else become louder than God’s voice for us.
Running or walking away
19:3 “Then he was afraid, and he arose.”
Out of fear and anxiety, Elijah left because of circumstance.
We run away from our spiritual world: God’s mission and purpose, our relationships, and our life.
There may be moments of isolation where we are trained in discipline by God, but Elijah was doing it to himself against God’s will.
And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough now, O Lord, take away my life.” (19:4)
Guess what though, in God’s plans for you, it is never the end as you run away.
We need to receive God’s provision of rest.
True restoration comes from God.
We need to go to the mountain of God; to worship God through His word.
But this is hard when we are spiritually depressed for our motivation to go is at its lowest it’s ever been. But how do we do it?
God never condemned Elijah, but instead, God knowing Elijah’s state, He came to Elijah through two angels.
“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree.” (19:5)
Let’s be realistic: when you are burnt out, you need to sleep! Physical rest brings about a clearer spirit in which to go about things.
Providing a loving touch
“An angel touched him.” (19:5)
Extending care in a physical, emotional, conversational, or spiritual way.
Lifegroups function like a broom tree, where someone can go to get rest.
Providing nourishment
“Arise and eat” (19:5)
God calls Elijah back to Mount Sinai/Mount Horeb where God promised to give him rest, to give him food, and a loving touch so that Elijah may be restored to worshipping the Lord. Mount Sinai is also the place where God gave His word to His people.
The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is our ultimate broom tree where He brings ultimate restoration and spiritual rest. God’s grace through the cross provides true rest and restoration from spiritual depression.
Sermon reflection questions:
Have you ever heard of the term ‘spiritual depression’? Do any of the causes of spiritual depression resonate with you when you reflect on the past few months or years of your life?
Which symptoms of spiritual depression do you struggle with the most? In what situations do you feel the hold of the one or more of the symptoms coming between your relationship with God in a major way?
Which broom tree are you choosing to sit under in this period of your life? What rest from spiritual nourishment are you seeking?
