VICTORY IN THANKFULNESS

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:20-23

When we study Biblical heroes it can be easy to think of them like superheroes that do not struggle in the same way that we do. We may think that they never faced temptation, depression, or fear. But they are human the same as you and me. The prophet Elijah faced a time of extreme depression and was even suicidal.

Elijah had seen a series of miracles one after the other in his life from being fed by supernatural provision to victory over the false prophets of Baal. His life was saved by God on many occasions, but when he was threatened by Queen Jezebel he became severely depressed and asked God to take his life. When he meditated on the Queen’s threat, he allowed fear and worry to develop into depression. Negative thinking led to negative feelings, negative emotion, negative reactions, and then negative living. Elijah had seen God do incredible and miraculous things in his life, but he allowed his thoughts to overcome his faith. He allowed himself to believe more in the Queen’s threat than God’s promise.

When we lose our thankfulness and faith in God, our hearts can become darkened and fearful. The Bible gives a remedy for depression in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Not every circumstance and situation is from God, but we can always be thankful for salvation and relationship with our Heavenly Father.