Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. (James 5:17)

The Bible states that the great Old Testament prophet Elijah was a man with a nature like ours–in other words, that he was a man just like us.  I know this statement is true because it comes from God Himself, but when I read about the life of Elijah I do not usually see myself in him. 

I have never proclaimed a message from God to a political leader (1 Kings 17:1), I have never had dinner provided by ravens (1 Kings 17:6), my prayers have never been used by God to bring someone back to life (1 Kings 17:21-22), I have never been bold enough to challenge hundreds of false prophets (1 Kings 18:19), my prayers have never brought fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:36-38; 2 Kings 1:10), and I do not anticipate being taken up into heaven on a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11).

But when I read about Elijah’s struggle with depression, I very much see a nature just like my own.

The boldness and faithfulness of Elijah before the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 is equally exciting and inspiring.  The hopeless prayers of the false prophets and their random, chaotic attempts to appease their gods stand in stark contrast to the calm, orderly actions of Elijah, who has complete confidence in the one true God to hear and powerfully respond to his prayer.

If Elijah’s story was written by filmmakers, this would be a fitting climax to his life.  But Elijah’s story is not fictitious; he is a man just like us, and he continues to struggle with the difficulties of life even after a spectacular victory.

Upon hearing of God’s power displayed through faithful Elijah (though mention of God is missing from King Ahab’s report), wicked Queen Jezebel sends a messenger to Elijah vowing to execute him the same way the false prophets of Baal were executed on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19:2).  This leads Elijah to run away in fear of his life (1 Kings 19:3).

This is the first of Elijah’s recorded acts that could be seen as either inconsistent or irrational.  Elijah just witnessed God’s power on Mount Carmel, and his prayers have repeatedly been answered by God.  Yet despite the great boldness Elijah shows before the face of the false prophets, he flees in terror at this message from the queen.

Elijah’s inconsistent behavior continues in the wilderness.  Elijah’s powerful prayers demonstrating remarkable faith are replaced by prayers asking God to take his life, believing he is no better equipped to suffer than his forefathers (1 Kings 19:4).  This prayer reveals the sad truth that Elijah has forgotten God’s faithfulness, and the numerous times He has revealed His strength to him.

God provides sleep, food and water for Elijah, giving him miraculous strength to make a 40 day journey to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:5-8).  God gives Elijah 40 days to remind himself of God’s power and faithfulness.

1 Kings 19:9-10 – And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

When God asks Elijah to answer for his behavior, he states that he has been very zealous for God (which is true), the children of Israel have rejected their covenant relationship with God (also true: 1 Kings 18:21), faithful prophets have been killed (also true: 1 Kings 18:13), there are some seeking his life (also true: 1 Kings 19:1), and that he is the only faithful man left in Israel (NOT true: 1 Kings 18:13).

God tells Elijah to leave the cave and passes by him.  Elijah sees a strong wind, an earthquake, and fire, but God is not in those demonstrations of power. He instead comes to Elijah and speaks to him in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12).  Such is the kindness of God that He does not harshly rebuke His weak servant, but communicates in the compassionate voice of an ever-patient Father!

God gently guides Elijah out of his despondency with a task, and with truth to correct the lies that are dominating his thoughts.  Elijah is given the practical and tangible assignment of anointing Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as a prophet in his place (1 Kings 19:15-17).  These tasks are a means by God to keep Elijah busy and faithful, keeping him from contemplating the things in his life that are leading him to depression.

Elijah’s depression leads him to believe the lie that he is the only faithful servant left in Israel, which God graciously takes the time to correct.  Even though Elijah has encountered several faithful servants of God in his ministry, his despondency blinds him to the truth, leading him to believe he is alone—a feeling that would bring the best of us to our knees.  God tells Elijah that he is not alone, because God Himself has preserved 7,000 people in Israel that have remained faithful to the one true God (1 Kings 19:18).

I can very much relate to Elijah as he is revealed in 1 Kings 19.  Elijah’s depression is based on a mixture of truth, half-truths, and lies.  Elijah’s thought process is inconsistent, often irrational, and extremely forgetful in his times of depression.  As I look back at my times of depression, I can see these same patterns in my life.

Elijah needed to be reminded of the truth and needed to be kept busy with godly tasks.  This is my same need.  Knowing my weaknesses, I recognize how important it is that I daily spend time in God’s Word, allowing Him to speak to me daily and remind me of the truth—the truth that I am embarrassed to admit and too quick to forget. 

James chapter 5 tells us Elijah has a nature just like ours, and does so in the context of prayer.  As we study the life of Elijah we repeatedly see him in prayer, and we can see how God uses him and empowers him for service in and through his prayers.  May the story of Elijah—a man just like us—encourage us to be as devoted to prayer as he was, especially in our times of despondency.