Not Being Okay Part 1

 

    Just because you are a Christian does not mean that you are okay all the time.  You live in a world that strives to tear you apart.  It is not easy to fight for the truth and what is right.  You have hope and can hold onto your joy in all situation, but sometimes things get to be too much.

    Elijah was one of the most famous prophets of God for the miracles that he did in God's name.  His notability did not keep him from having a breakdown.  It is easy for the people on the front lines of God's human army (pastors, missionaries, spokespeople, and prophets) to burn out.  No one is immune to trouble, but they seem to get it more or at least their problems are in the spotlight.

    When you are facing the difficult seasons in life, how will you handle it?  How will you recover from the stress?  Will you give in and let it reek havoc on your body and mind?  Will you surrender your need to God?  Or is there another way you deal with stress?  The dark seasons in life are all due to how you deal with the stress placed upon you.  Once you become emotionally tired you become worn down and the problems press heavily upon you.

    The only way you will find victory over your circumstances in life is to commit to deal.  You need to be realistic about what you are facing and your expectations of yourself.  It is unhealthy to put too much pressure on yourself.  You can't control the circumstances, so control what you can.  Control how you view and deal with what is thrown at you.  It is unhealthy to try to deal with it alone.  Turn to God and a mentor, friend, pastor, or someone who can help you.  God will place someone in your life.

    Burdens of life were never meant to be carried alone.  We were never built to carry them.  We were designed to live in the perfect world, but sin changed things and we all have had to learn how to adapt.  The best way is to not turn from God.  He will give you rest and what you need to endure.  

    Emotional despair comes from not dealing with expectations you place on yourself.  Face the truth, but let God take care of what you cannot take care of.  Do not place your unrealistic expectations upon God like it is His job to cure everything.  If you put yourself in a situation, then you need to take responsibility.  It is the first step of getting out of it.  God will reveal the error in your thinking along the journey to healing.

1 Kings 19:1-18, Psalm 34:15-20, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, & Philippians 4:6-7