When our thought patterns aren’t good, our mood dips, we lose energy, God seems distant, prayer seems pointless, sin looks tempting, and our outlook on life becomes pretty dreary. When that happens we become so focused on how we feel, we don’t realise it’s our thinking that’s causing us to feel that way. We can see this happening with Elijah the prophet. A high point in his life was when he called down fire from heaven and defeated the prophets of Baal. It was an amazing victory. But then Elijah found himself running for his life when Jezebel ‘sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me terribly if by this time tomorrow I don’t kill you just as you killed those prophets”’ (1 Kings 19:2 NCV). As a result Elijah became really fearful. He felt worthless: ‘I am no better than my ancestors’ (v.4 NIV). Hopeless: ‘[He] ran for his life’ (v.3 NIV). Isolated: ‘I am the only one left’ (v.10 NIV). Unable to cope: ‘I have had enough’ (v.4 NIV). He wanted to die: ‘Take my life’ (v.4 NIV). God responded to Elijah in four ways: 1) He helped him to start eating right and get proper rest. 2) He spoke to him in ‘a still small voice’ (v.12 NKJV), reassuring him and giving him courage. 3) He assured Elijah that he was not alone: ‘I have…seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal’ (v.18 NKJV). 4) He gave him another mission to fulfil. When we’re struggling with our thoughts and emotions, God doesn’t get angry or disappointed with us, He takes us under His wing, and provides what we need. He helps us think in line with Him again.

What Now?

Are you feeling like Elijah was in 1 Kings 19? Ask God to come close to you, provide for you, and help you change your thinking.