In 1 Kings 19, Elijah flees to Horeb. The prophet Elijah combats the idolatry of the people of Israel and King Ahab. In this passage, we see how after Elijah returns to see King Ahab, he confronts the 400 prophets of Baal and prays for rain after three years of drought. Elijah was likely spiritually exhausted. Although great miracles were performed and signs displayed, he faced another trial: the threats of Queen Jezebel.
“Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.’” 1 Kings 19:2
Exhausted, he flees to the desert, deeply distressed and depressed, and asks God:
“And he went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.’” 1 Kings 19:4
Subsequently, God sends an Angel who feeds him and strengthens him. Then God sends him to Horeb, shows him signs, strengthens him again, and speaks to him, giving him instructions.
Another passage that shows sadness and depression is found in Jesus Christ before being arrested by the Jews. Hebrews 4:15 teaches us that Jesus Christ suffered as a man:
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
He also had moments of great anguish, as humans do at some point in their lives, but in His case, we see that the situation was one of extreme tribulation. The biblical passage in Matthew 26:36-46 [Jesus Prays in Gethsemane] shows us how, after the Last Supper, and knowing that he was going to be betrayed by one of his close disciples and arrested by the Jews, Jesus Christ was very sad and distressed.
“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'” Matthew 26:36-39
But it can be appreciated that both in Elijah’s passage and in Jesus Christ’s, the attitude they took in their situation of sadness, anguish, and depression was to pray to God. They both entrusted themselves to God. However, when one does not have Christ in their heart, the ways out of sadness and anguish tend to be very different, from vices to bad company, which instead of strengthening the person, weaken them even more.
TEACHINGS OF KING SOLOMON
King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes teaches us how the things of this world are fleeting. How to take refuge in material things, vanities, and vices generates no happiness.
“All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.” Ecclesiastes 1:8
“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14
Later, King Solomon tries to satisfy the desires offered by the world and constantly repeats that everything is vanity.
“I said in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore, enjoy pleasure’; but surely, this also was vanity. I said of laughter—’Madness!’; and of mirth, ‘What does it accomplish?’ I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.” Ecclesiastes 2:1-3
“I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
What should we do when we are sad? One of the lessons learned is that we should pray and ask God in our trial and affliction. But the Word also teaches us to:
REJOICE IN THE LORD
“So then, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:1-6
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
SING PRAISES
“And again: ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!‘” Romans 15:11
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15
HAVE FAITH KNOWING WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10
PRAYER IN MOMENTS OF ANGHISH
In the book of Psalms, we find numerous examples of how to pray and ask God in times of distress. Read Psalms 31, 42, 51, 55, and 109. Some examples are found in the following verses:
“Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body!” Psalm 31:9
“Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; Incline Your ear to me; In the day that I call, answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, And my bones are burned like a hearth.” Psalm 102:1-3
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 42:5
“Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22
CONCLUSION
If at any time you go through trials or difficulties that make you feel sad or depressed, take refuge in the Lord, gather and sing praises, leave your burdens.
