Mental health is very real and not something God avoids addressing, so let’s jump into it a little for ourselves.
After an incredible spiritual victory, Elijah finds his very life threatened, and he runs. On the heels of victory, he wasn’t dancing in the glory of what he had just witnessed God do. He was scared for his life. He ran, hid, and declared that he had had enough. At the end of himself, he wished to die.
Notice this: Elijah’s spiritual strength didn’t make him immune to emotional or mental exhaustion. And, my friends, you aren’t immune to it either.
Many of us would say that we tend to hide our struggles out of fear of being judged, or perhaps even worse, being told, “You just need to pray harder.” Now, don’t get me wrong, our prayer lives and intimacy with God are paramount to the health of our spiritual lives. But did we not just see Elijah come away from one of the greatest victories of his entire ministry? We can deeply love God, faithfully serve Him, experience His power, and still become mentally and emotionally overwhelmed.
I think it’s so sweet here that God doesn’t begin by questioning Elijah’s faith or his beliefs. The angel tells him, “Arise and eat.”
I don’t know about the rest of you, but my whole perspective can change after I’ve had a nap and something to eat. I suppose the disposition of humans really never does change.
God recognized the whole of Elijah – his body, mind, emotions, spirit, and circumstances. We cannot expect to maintain an alert and sober mind while neglecting the basic care of our physical beings. God has compassion for all parts of us, and we also must have compassion for our whole selves and for the fullness of the brothers and sisters surrounding us.
Elijah believes he is alone. Have you ever felt that way?
God doesn’t shame him for it. Instead, we see Him come alongside Elijah to provide care, rest, nourishment, presence, perspective, and new direction.
God never diminishes Elijah’s feelings. Feelings are real, and they deserve to be acknowledged, but they are not always reliable interpreters of reality. We have a responsibility not to allow our feelings to become our authority or dictate our actions.
I appreciate that Scripture gives us room to observe both the psychological and spiritual dimensions of being human. Elijah needed sleep. He needed food. But God was also there to provide His presence, truth, direction, and renewed purpose.
So what if the church looked at mental health in the light of this passage?
Instead of a dismissive, “You just need more faith,” what if we rallied around those who are struggling with support and open arms?
“Come sit down here. You’re safe here.”
Observe those around you. Chances are someone close by is struggling much more than they care to let on. Listen to them.
We are so conditioned to prepare a response while someone else is speaking that we have lost the art of truly giving someone our attention, the space to speak, to be heard, and to be honest.
And chances are, you might not enjoy everything you hear them say. That’s okay.
It’s probably uncomfortable for them, too.
Let’s walk alongside them. Let’s provide companionship and accountability as they address their concerns and seek healing. Let’s be willing to help them find wise counsel and appropriate care rather than assuming that every struggle can be solved with a Bible verse or a quick prayer.
What would it look like if the church became a safe place for the mentally and emotionally broken to seek wise counsel? A place where we don’t shame people for simply being broken humans, but instead help them encounter the compassion of God?
Think for yourself: What would it look like for you personally to create a space where your spiritual brothers and sisters knew they could be raw and real and still be loved by you?
What would it look like for them to experience, through you, the compassion of God?
Jesus loves you.
You are a child of God.
He has purpose for your life.
You are not on this journey alone.