Endurance for the Journey, Featured, Hope
I’ve Had Enough
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.
He came to a groom tree, sat down under it
and prayed that he might die.
“I have had enough, Lord,” he said.
“Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
1 KINGS 19:4 (NIV)
Dave’s comeback, his return to the pitching mound after having over half his arm muscles removed, was a wild ride full of excitement, emotion and gratitude towards God. I remember sensing God’s presence and love so strongly during that time that I thought my faith was unshakable. I was wrong. Just one year later, I was crippled by severe clinical depression.
Where was God now? I doubted His love for me and – at times – His very existence. I was sure no one else had gone so quickly from such a wonderful spiritual experience to the depths of despair. I was wrong again!
Elijah had just come off an incredible spiritual victory, where the odds had been stacked against him 450 to one. Yet mere hours later, on the run from an evil queen, the prophet couldn’t outrun his despair.
I found tremendous encouragement in Elijah’s story. The distance between the mountaintop and the valley floor can be quickly traversed. Yet God’s children who make that journey discover that God is in both places.
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
PSALM 139:7-10 (NLT)
On the journey with you,
Jan Dravecky
