1. Lessons from the Life of Elijah 1 Kings 19
Defeating Depression
Lessons from the Life of Elijah
1 Kings 19

2. Depression Depression is common (Prov. 12:25)
Symptoms of depression range from mild to severe
Three common causes
A major life change
Negative thinking
Chemical imbalance

3. Depression
Depression treatment
Medicine
Counseling

4. Elijah: A Case Study in Depression
Elijah’s condition
Experienced trauma (vv.1-2)
Feared for his life (vv.3,10,14)
Withdrew from others (vv. 3-4,9)
Desired death (v.4)
Thought he failed (v.4)
Physically exhausted (vv.5-8)
Felt isolated (vv.10,14)

5. Elijah: A Case Study in Depression
What God did not do…
Condemn him for a lack of faith
Order him to “snap out of it”
Minimize his pain
Threaten to leave him

6. Elijah: A Case Study in Depression
Elijah’s needs
A period of physical refreshment (vv. 5-8)
A God to talk to (vv. 9-10)
A fresh awareness of God (vv )
A new direction and activity (vv )
A reality check (v. 18)

7. Elijah and Christians Today
What are we to do when depressed?
Focus on facts, not feelings
Don’t compare yourself with others
Don’t accept false blame
Don’t exaggerate the negative
Get active again

8. Elijah and Christians Today
Elijah is like us (Jas. 5:17)
God “heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds…” (Psa. 147:3)