“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die.” – 1 Kings 19:3-4a NLT
If you’ve ever wondered whether anyone in the Bible struggled with depression, look no further than the prophet Elijah. Being a prophet to God’s people was exhausting, frustrating, thankless work—and most of the time, his prophecies and warnings went unheeded by the Israelites, who were stubborn and set in their ways. Elijah had had enough.
Do you know the feeling? God understands. He’s with you. This beautiful, easy-to-miss story reveals so much about His heart for us when we find ourselves in seasons of depression.
“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” – 1 Kings 19:4b NLT
Elijah had come to such a low place that all he wanted to do was give up. Maybe you’re in such a place right now. Weary and discouraged and with no hope that things will ever get better.
The most comforting truth in these moments of deepest despair and loneliness is that we have a gentle, compassionate, patient God who is ready and waiting for us to pour our hearts out to Him. Notice how even in the midst of his pain, Elijah kept communion with God. He was brutally honest about how he was feeling, and you can be, too. It’s not a poor reflection on you or your ability to handle your circumstances to admit that you’re hurting. Because when you do, when you find the courage to say it—whether out loud or as a quiet whisper in your heart—God meets you there.
Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. – 1 Kings 19:5a NLT
What does Elijah do next? He takes a nap. He cries out to God, then he curls up under a tree and goes to sleep. I love that. It’s so heartbreakingly human. When the world is overwhelming and problems are loud and it all feels like too much for one person to deal with, sometimes you just need to sleep.
But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! – 1 Kings 19:5b-6
Once Elijah has rested, an angel of the Lord visits him, wakes him up, and offers a meal. It seems so simple—a rest and a meal. But it’s exactly what Elijah needed to restore and refresh him in that moment.
It can be all too easy to neglect our physical needs when we’re in a low place, and this story serves as a gentle reminder that God cares about our bodies—even when we may not—and wants to meet our physical needs as well as our emotional ones.
God deals with us so tenderly. He visited Elijah during his darkest hour and gave him the simplest gift: permission to rest and eat. If all you can do right now is rest and eat, then that’s all God asks of you. And even better, He’ll be present with you, every second.
This isn’t to trivialize the very real physical and mental effects of depression. The management of and recovery from depression is not always as simple as a nap and a meal. If you need to seek medical intervention in the form of therapy or medication, know that there is absolutely no shame in that. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, and it doesn’t mean you have a lack of faith in God. Just as God gives us the gift of food and rest, He also specifically gifts people like doctors and therapists to be able to help us when we need it.
Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” – 1 Kings 19:7 NLT
God also reminds us that there are greater things in store. Elijah still had a journey ahead. He still had a call to fulfill. The food and rest he was so graciously given weren’t just to restore his mind, they were to prepare and fuel his body for the work God had for him.
Know that God has plans for your future that He wants you to be not only ready for, but excited for.
So if you’re sitting alone, crying out to God I can’t do this anymore, I’ve had enough, don't feel like you need to rush yourself out of it. Take time to rest and to nourish your body. Be gentle with yourself as your good Father is gentle with you. Be honest with the Lord about where you are and let Him meet you there. Remember this season is not forever, and no feeling is final.
Scriptures for Comfort in Seasons of Depression:
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 NLT
The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. – Psalm 9:9 NLT
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you. – Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
