The statistics are staggering. We live in a time unlike any other in history. The world is small, and technology has advanced to the point where we can know what is happening nearly anywhere. Time and distance are no longer the barriers they once were. It is truly remarkable and yet … as fearfully and wonderfully made image bearers of God, we are fragile.

Being aware of world events and 24/7 access to information, at our literal fingertips, is not what we were made for. God fashioned us in His image but does not want or expect us to be Him. No, God alone is omniscient. We may want to know everything, but we aren’t meant to. When I ingest excess amounts of information, the tragedy of others, the violent acts, sickness and disease, the poverty and natural disasters, I find myself suffocating. Like Chicken Little, the sky seems to be falling and there is nowhere to hide.

I am not a callous individual, and I am not minimizing the pain and loss of others. Life is hard. Unspeakable things happen around the world. There is no life untouched and no one is exempt or immune. What I am saying is that we are in this together. We are all (no exceptions) made in the image of God. We are all known and loved by our Creator. We are all impacted by life and the world we live in.

In the book of 1 Kings, Chapters 18 & 19, we read the story of Elijah. He was a prophet who challenged the man-made gods of King Ahab against the God. Our Creator. God showed up with a mighty display of His power and revealed Himself in a showdown that exposed the lies and faulty belief system. It was awesome!

In spite of this mind-blowing display of God's power, Elijah runs. King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, threatened Elijah and said she was going to have him killed. He ran and hid under a broom tree. He was weary, he was vulnerable, and he needed to run away from it all. I can relate. Not because I witnessed a supernatural display of God, but because, like Elijah, I’m human. Created in the image of God, I have limitations.

 My capacity is limited and when that capacity is exceeded, I crumble. I have a pit in my stomach, my heart rate may increase, and I often feel as if I have no strength or energy. My younger self would find physical tasks or exercise to decompress. My body no longer allows me to head out for a 5 mile walk and sadness can cover me like a cold, wet blanket. Unnecessary calories find their way into my mouth, and that is my false idol at the moment. Retail therapy, scrolling various social media or excessive consumption of anything to anesthetize my mental and emotional angst. Like Elijah, I am depleted. Listen to what God did to take care of this weary prophet in 1 Kings 19:3-9

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, 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.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So, he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.

Read the rest of 1 Kings 19 for the rest of this beautiful exchange between God and Elijah. God comes to Elijah not in the fierce rock splitting wind, the earthquake or in the fire, but in a whisper. God does not need to prove anything to anyone. Close your eyes for a moment, and in the stillness, ask God to “touch you”. More than likely, if you are really listening, you will sense His peace. The peace that passes understanding. Peace unlike anything in this world and the peace of Christ cannot be found in a Google search or an AI generated app. 

What weighs you down? World news, personal loss, illness, financial struggles, broken relationships, prodigal sons or daughters, the list could go on and on. 

Some things to remember.

●      You are human.

●      You are not alone.

●      Give yourself time to rest and renew. 

●      Resist the temptation to isolate.

●      Find a support system within a solid faith community to walk with you.

●      Remember. God created you, He loves you and He sees your pain. Tell him what is on your heart and mind. He already knows and He cares deeply.

Please consider leaving a comment or connect via email. I’d love to hear your story and pray for you.