When Elijah was at his lowest point, God told him these three important things: 1) Spend more time with God. ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord’ (1 Kings 19:11 NKJV). That was where God spoke to him in ‘a still small voice’ (v.12 NKJV). The word ‘still’ teaches us that instead of always working for God, we need to spend time with Him. If we don’t, we’ll run on empty and end up getting nowhere. When David was feeling overwhelmed, he wrote: ‘Many are saying about me, “God won’t rescue him.” But, Lord, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage. I will pray to the Lord and he will answer me’ (Psalm 3:2-4 NCV). 2) Don’t try to do everything yourself. That’s a fast track to becoming overwhelmed. Just because God’s given us a task to do, it doesn’t necessarily mean we have to work alone at it. Sometimes it means working as part of a team and getting it done through them. Elijah wasn’t alone. God told him, ‘I have seven thousand people left in Israel who have never bowed down before Baal’ (1 Kings 19:18 NCV). God will bring people to help us when we need them. 3) Realise your assignment isn’t over. God showed Elijah there were still kings to anoint, battles to win, and a successor to prepare (see v.16). When we’re at breaking point, He doesn’t get angry with us. In fact, His Word says, ‘He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair’ (Isaiah 42:3 TLB). We can always draw on His strength.

What Now?

Create an action plan to help you when you feel you’re approaching your breaking point. Make sure you include spending time with God, asking for His wisdom on the situation, and drawing on His strength, plus any Bible verses that encourage and remind you of His love and support.