Elijah’s Breakdown Teaches Us Something About Resilience
There are seasons in life that feel like they strip you down to nothing. You’re tired beyond tired. Your heart is heavy, and your thoughts feel loud and jumbled. It’s a soul-level exhaustion. While you may not see it, something powerful is happening behind the scenes.
Your brain is adapting.
Science shows us that when we face prolonged stress or trauma, our brains begin to shift. The amygdala, where fear lives, gets more active. The same is true about the prefrontal cortex, the part that helps us reason and reflect. It’s like your system is fighting to find its footing again, rerouting pain and searching for balance. It may not look like progress, but the effort your mind makes to keep you going is actually resilience in motion.
We see something similar in Scripture in the life of the prophet Elijah.
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah has just experienced a huge spiritual high. He called down fire from heaven and proved God’s power before the people. But right after that, fear hits. Queen Jezebel threatens his life, and Elijah spirals. He runs into the wilderness, lays under a broom tree, and prays to die.
He says, “I’ve had enough, Lord. Take my life.”
Think about that for a second (or three). This is a man who had just witnessed the undeniable power of God. What is going through his mind? It sounds like that power that he witnessed is now completely undone.
Here’s what gets me: God doesn’t correct Elijah. He doesn’t say, “Get it together” or asks him, “Where’s your faith?” Instead, He lets him rest. Then He sends an angel with food (TWICE).
Sleep. Eat. Rest again – got it Lord!
Before there’s a mission, there’s mercy. Before instruction, there’s compassion.
God knew what Elijah’s mind and body needed. He met him in his exhaustion and gave him time to reset. God knows what your mind and body need, and he will never allow exhaustion to hurt you. He also knows your potential.
Maybe that’s where you are right now. You’ve fought hard and believed, served, and carried others, but now, you’re under your own broom tree. Wondering if you have anything left to give.
Listen here my friend: God’s not done with you. Maybe you’ve heard that a thousand times, maybe you know that well. But God doesn’t sit in disappointed in your breaking point. He created you with the capacity to bend without breaking, to adapt and heal, even when you can’t see it happening.
You’re not facing God’s punishment, you’re undergoing a process. I get it, it may feel like God forgot us in the middle of our process, oh yes, those moments when you want to scream—“hey dad, you left me here!” But He knows right where we are.
Elijah eventually gets up, and he was strengthened, renewed, and called forward again.
And you will too.
Because God meets you in the wilderness and reminds you, that you were built for more than this.
What are three things that may feel like are braking you right now? What are three ways in which those three things or situations could strengthen you?
Remember
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” – Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
Let’s Pray: Lord, meet me in the quiet places where I feel undone. Help me rest without guilt and rise without fear. Thank You for designing me to heal, hope, and for giving strength to hold on especially when I feel like letting go. Please continue to walk with me, give me discretion, discipline and heighten my discernment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
