scriptural truth. It is wonderful to realize that there is a cure to emo tional stress. In I Kings 19:5 we see God's tenderness and grace in dealing with depressed and despondent Elijah. The Lord always desires to restore His children to proper spir itual, physical, and emotional well being. In Elijah's case he first had to be restored physically (vrs. 5-8). Part of his condition was based on physical exhaustion. Enormous en ergy had been expended in com bating the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and his later trav els seeking to escape from Jezebel. Cod sent an angel to serve him nourishing food. So great was this perfect provision that it sustained him for forty days and nights until he came to Horeb, the mount of Cod. The second phase of the cure for His emotionally distressed prophet was a spiritual awakening which we see beginning with verse 11. Elijah found that God was not in the earthquake, fire, or wind, but in the still small voice which came to him. This mighty prophet had witnessed many wonderful mir acles. He had seen a dynamic dis play of God's supernatural power. Perhaps Elijah had come to depend upon the spectacular as an indica tion of God's nearness. Some Chris tians simply seek to live from one exciting moment to another. They never settle down in any church situation, but jump around like grasshoppers. Every believer needs to get into a good Bible-preaching and believing church instead of running around tasting sermons. Elijah, like us, needed to learn that Cod is with His people at all
he can have a tremendous Sunday seeing Cod really work and people coming to Christ. Then the devil get hold of him on Monday usher ing in a day of depression or temp tation. This situation calls for care and concern. If the believer does not keep up his spiritual guard at all times he may quickly succumb to defeat and discouragement. Abraham valiantly delivered Lot from the enemy (Cen. 14:1-16), and then a short time later framed a lie about his wife in order to save his life (Gen. 20-1-11). The disciples had witnessed the power of the Lord, hearing Him say, “ Let not your hearts be troubled." But af ter His death they were huddled together behind closed doors afraid of the Jews (John 20:19). Elijah experienced almost un bearable emotional strain. In a moment of weakness he feared another human being more than he feared the Lord. No wonder the Bible enjoins us not to be terri fied by our adversaries (Phil. 1:28). If we allow evil thoughts to stay in our minds there's a greater dan ger of commiting evil. Harboring thoughts of despair and gloom we will always wither spiritually. Cod commands us to bring into captiv ity every thought to the obedience of Jesus Christ (II Cor. 10:5). We are to think on those things which are spiritually beneficial (Phil. 4:8). SPIRITUAL CURE Have you ever taken the time to look at yourself? Not with a cur sory glance, but using the mirror of God's Word (Jas. 1:22-25). The point is not to compare ourselves with ourselves, nor even compare ourselves with others, but to be measured by the perfect stature of
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