What does God think when you want to give up? (2023)

Devotion 6 of the Elijah series: Totally delivered

Inside:Where is God when you want to give up? The spiral can begin with doubt or fear, and soon we fall so low that we wonder if we can ever recover. Worse still, we worry about what God thinks: Does he care? Is he judging us? Discover the life-changing truth about what God thinks when you want to give up.

Photo byJad LimcacoonUnsplash

One winter I sank deep and fast into a depression. I couldn't trace the source, and it didn't really matter. He was deeply saddened and could not see the way out. With the gray days and the first nights of winter, hopelessness took root and entangled my soul.

Desperate for help, I reached out to a friend I knew who was living through the daily battle and victory over depression. We meet for dinner. He listened to me kindly and patiently as he said things like, “I don't know what to do. I keep trying to claw my way out. I can't get rid of it.

Softly, she asked, "Why do you thinktuDo you have to get rid of it? This was not such a secret code for "Are you trying to do somethingtuIt cannot be done. Only God can do that!”

Council.

Keep in mind that I wasn't dealing with clinical depression, which is a much more serious condition for which I feel deep compassion.

I went home that night and threw myself at the feet of the Lord:"Please save me. Only you can do that."

The next day the sky was bluer and my face a little clearer. Several weeks later, I would not have recognized my previously despondent self.

When you want to give upespeciallywhen you want to give up - it is more important than ever to hear the voice of God andsurrender to the will of God.

We can learn a lot from the difficult moments in Elijah's life. You can skip ahead and read 1 Kings 19:1-9, where we see the consequences of Elijah's victory over the prophets of Baal. Queen Jezebel threatened Elijah's life andafraid, Elijah ran🇧🇷 He ran far and fast and collapsed in utter dismay.

You may remember that earlier, God had told Elijah thatir al arroyo Cherith, and God fed him there. So God told Elijah thatir para o Sarepta, where he arranged for a widow to feed Elijah during the drought.

This time, however, Elijah did not wait to hear from God. Fear seized him and he ran for his life.In fact, when he arrived at his destination, God rhetorically asked him, “What are you doing here?” It's enough to make you wonder where God would have taken Elijah if Elijah had waited to listen to the Lord!

Don't we do the same? We let our emotions take control and run in random directions, not allowing God to speak about the situation.

Consider God's tender and active compassion in the midst of Elijah's anguish:

God touched and strengthened Elijah

Elijah hurried to Beersheba and then fled for a day in the desert. There he lay down under a tree and told God that it had all been too much. Could God please take your life? he asked him. At that very moment, in the pit of Elijah's despair, an angel appeared, touched him and gave him food and water to strengthen him on his way.

When you're too tired and afraid to go on, God has a word, and it's not "I'm disappointed in you" or "out of your mind." Rather, it is“Here, eat some food to strengthen yourself. I am with you for the journey ahead.

I love that the angel touched Elijah. There is a tenderness in it.In the midst of your despair, do not run away from God's tender touch.As much as you can muster, let it in to minister to your soul.

God blessed Elijah beyond our imagination

I love, love, love this. Are you ready for it?

In his despair, when he couldn't understand what was happening, Elijah prayed to God: “Enough is enough; Now, Lord, take my life, because I am no better than my parents.

Now turn to 2 Kings 2 for a minute and reflect on that.amazing act of compassion: God not only did not let Elijah die of despair or starvation, but He did not even let Elijah die an earthly death! Despite Elijah's depression, God saved this completely surrendered servant from the perils of death here on earth and instead took him straight to heaven in a whirlwind, accompanied by fiery chariots and horses.

How compassionate is our God?!!

God remained with Elijah despite Elijah's pilgrimage

Our friend Elijah fled for his life without listening to God's direction. He was about to give up when God touched him and gave him food and drink to strengthen him for his journey. Finally, when Elijah traveled a great distance for many days and settled in a cave on Mount Horeb, God spoke to Elijah.Elijah did not listen to God, he lost trust in God and made some bad decisions. However, God was with him., keeping it, guiding and directing it.

That depends on us.

What does God think of you when you want to give up?

• He takes care of you.
• He wants to touch you and strengthen you.
• He will never leave your side.

Which of these characteristics of God resonates with you today?Be sure to answer the Going Deeper questions today or during the week as you consider where God is and what he's doing when he doesn't feel like going.

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Do you need help turning your situation over to God? Click on one of these links to access afree printing of a Surrender Prayer!

• 8.5X11 version
• half page version

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For questions to guide you in your devotional time, scroll down to the Deeper Questions.

Going Deeper into God's Word: When You Want to Give Up

Immerse yourself in this precious passage of scripture. Let God speak into your life through his word to Elijah.

1 Kings 19:1-9 (NIV)

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. the life of one of them tomorrow at this time. 3 Then he was afraid and got up and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went into the desert one day on the way, and came and sat under a broom. And he asked to die, saying: “Enough; Now, Lord, take my life, because I am no better than my parents. And behold, an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." And he ate and drank and lay down again. he went with the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

The Lord speaks to Elijah

9 There he came to a cave and stayed there. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and said to him: What are you doing here, Elijah?

Going Deeper: God's Word for You Today

Enjoy this time with the Lord! Breathe. If you can, spend time with God, reflect on these questions, or record your thoughts.

1. Lea 1 Reyes 19:1-9.What evidence of God's care for Elijah do you see in this passage? When has God shown care for you in your life?

2. Can you relate to Elijah's fear and exhaustion? You know that feeling of wanting to give up?What in this passage encourages you to trust God to sustain you?

3. In today's passage, Elijah forgot to wait for the direction of the Lord.Is there an area of ​​life in which you would like to ask God to guide you? Pray about it now, asking God to help you trust Him and surrender to Him. If you wish, you can use the surrender prayer below or print your free printout here (8.5X11 version,half page version).

Dear Lord, I come to you now, I need your wisdom and direction. I bring you this situation [name it, describe it]. 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 I open my hands and my heart to hear from you [open your hands]. Help me to hear your voice clearly. 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 What you asked me to do, help me to do it with faith and courage. What you asked me to let go of, help me let go and don't take it from me as if I knew better than you. I surrender to your will. Give my feet your direction and my will your will. In the name of Jesus, amen.

4. As you worship with these songs, let them bring you to life:

God I admire you(Francesca Battistelli)

eternal kingdom(Running into His Arms; Hillsong)

one thing remains(His love never fails; Jesus culture)

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Thanks for the recent actions! If you have found this devotion useful,please like and shareso others can hear the good news too!

To start this series from the beginning, click on this link:Elias: completely surrendered.

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