Open up

Poor Elijah can’t catch a break. He’s been obedient to God, led the people back on the right path, got rid of the baddies, and now what? The King’s wife proclaims a vendetta to murder him.

Understandably he runs for his life. While hiding in the wilderness:

He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! LORD, take my life, for I’m no better than my ancestors.”

I find great comfort that even though God’s power is with Elijah, he still feels incredibly discouraged. I’m just trying to normalize feeling less than okay even if you do feel close to God. We are still human!

Dating can come with many woes. Potential rejection, mistakes, hurt, sin. People are messy. I’m sure we’ve all reached a place of wanting to curl up and sleep, rather than go on.

Through Elijah’s honest outpouring of despair, our gracious, loving God listens. At his lowest low, God tends to Elijah by sending an angel and some decent meals too.

In this total helpless surrender, Elijah allows God to meet his needs. And like Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, we are invited to lean on God for provision in our toughest, most painful moments too.

Last year I really felt like I had come to the pit of my pain in singleness. I cried out to God one night (cue ugly tears and dramatic journaling) in anguish. I’m testifying to the relief and comfort God brought me at that moment. I knew I wasn’t left on my own. Neither was Elijah. Neither are you.

What hurts do you need God to listen to today?

What is even more true of God’s character is His sustaining power to support Elijah for what’s next.

Then on the strength from that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God

It’s not like God just got Elijah through the next hour. He gave him restored strength enough to continue for 40 days and nights! Through His love and care, God helps us go on.

Trust means allowing God to help and strengthen us, honestly inviting Him in at our toughest moments and letting Him lead us on by His power.