Happy Sabbath friends! In the previous year, I encountered a lot of growth, as I was faced with a lot of heartbreak that helped me become the person I am today. In the current year of 2025, as stated in a previous post, I am making it my goal to stay whole-heartedly focused on the Lord. Amidst the focus, I am allowing God full access to the healing of my heart, so in Him, I can be stronger when faced with future trials and tribulations that used to break me in my past.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:2-6 NIV
I am sure there have been points in our lives when we were faced with heartbreak, brokenness, or darkness of some kind. If you haven’t had any of these moments, consider yourself lucky, but it is best to prepare for these moments as even the Lord our God warns us that we will face trials of some kind, and in these times, we need to put our complete trust in the one Above to carry us through to victory. For those who have faced these moments, please know you are not alone, as I can confidently state that I faced these moments as well.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV
Today, God has blessed me with a message about the healing He brings for all. Just as He saw Elijah’s pain in 1 Kings 19, God also sees your pain. He hears your cries. Please know you are not alone during this time of healing.
“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.”
1 Kings 19:1-21 NIV
The story of Elijah in the book of 1 Kings is such an important story when it comes to mental health. I love talking about mental health because it needs to be talked about more. It is such an important topic, and the fact that mental health is referenced in the Word of God speaks volumes on how much this topic means to our Heavenly Father as well. After reading the story in 1 Kings 19, we can gather that Elijah is suffering with depression. He is fed up with the Israelites, and has given up on any hope. Doesn’t that sound familiar? I know for myself, this story is very much relatable as I suffer with anxiety and depression. Whenever I am faced with a hardship, unfortunately my first response is to shut down and sleep it off, which is exactly what Elijah did. What I find to be so comforting is that our Heavenly Father did not give up on Elijah. He still saw a purpose within Elijah, even when Elijah didn’t have any hope left inside of him. The Lord sent an angel to keep reminding Elijah to eat, and to not give up, and I know when I am in my darkest of moments, it’s like I can hear a faint whisper of the Lord trying to remind me of my purpose. In Verse 12 that is exactly what happened to Elijah. All these storms like wind, earthquakes, and fire were appearing to him, which can be compared to the trials and tribulations we face in our lives, but even amidst all that, it was followed by God’s loving voice reminding him that there is hope and a purpose for him. Right after Elijah heard the gentle whisper, is when it was followed with the Lord giving him directions to find Elisha, which gave him a purpose towards the hope and plan our God had for him.
This story in the Word of God serves as a reminder that even when we are at our lowest…even when we feel there is no more hope…even when we just want to give up and end it all, God still sees a purpose within us. No matter how hard life gets, “get up and eat” as the angel of the Lord said. When the angel of the Lord said “get up and eat”, it doesn’t necessarily mean literal food, but it can be a metaphor for spending time with the Lord, as it was written that after Elijah drank and ate, he was strengthened. Aren’t we strengthened the more we feed ourselves with the Holy Spirit? For those who suffer with depression, anxiety, and/or are going through a hardship, I pray this story of Elijah serves as a daily reminder that when Elijah thought all hope was lost for him, God made a way for him. God will make a way for you out of whatever storms you may be facing. Our God is bigger than the storms, trials, and tribulations that we face.
“Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty.”
Psalms 93:4 NIV
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalms 23:4 NIV
I have faced a lot of trials, hardships, heartbreak, etc., amidst my life, and I can confidently state that I would not be alive today if it weren’t for our Heavenly Father showing up for me time and time again reminding me of my God-given purpose just as He did for Elijah. I used to put myself in such a dark place where I would pray the same prayer as Elijah and ask God to just end it all, and take me away from this cruel world. I am writing to you all today to say in full confidence that God had bigger plans for me, and I know for a fact that He has bigger plans for you as well. If He woke you up this morning, you have a purpose. Remember that.
“This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.””
Ephesians 5:14 NIV
“I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Psalms 57:2-3 NLT
Amen.
Saved By His Grace 
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