Despair

Ron Writes

James uses Elijah as an example (Jm. 5:17). First, he says he was a man with a nature like ours: Sure, he was flesh and blood, but I think James wants us to look a bit deeper. He was suspectable to discouragement. 1 Kings 19 reveals Elijah as more than physically and spiritually exhausted. He is despondent! He’s ready to die (1 Kg. 19:4)! The Bible must be inspired by God, because man wouldn’t show the great prophet at his lowest. He is weak and vulnerable. In his despair he’s blaming others (1 Kg 19:10). He has blown things out of proportion. He is a man with a nature likes ours, suspectable to fear, to temptation, even despair and depression.

James acknowledges that we are prone to weakness and exhaustion (Jm. 5:14, word translated “sick” means “weak” or “feeble”). When you feel despair, go to the elders. Something we see aggravating Elijah’s situation was isolation and self-pity. Go to the elders. Let them know. Their job is to pray! Isolation is a killer. It’s the opposite of the “one another” emphasis of scripture. Fight the urge to flee.

God doesn’t rebuke Elijah. God sends an angel to nourish him and give him a mission. Someone said that the church is the only army that shoots its own wounded. Weakness causes us to sin more than rebellion. But, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, the spiritual will restore such a one with a spirit of gentleness recognizing that we’re vulnerable too (Gal. 6:1). Elders are to anoint the weak with the oil of encouragement in the name of the Lord.

Despite this breakdown, Elijah is remembered as a powerful prophet. He was a prophet of prayer. He will appear with Jesus at the transfiguration on the mountain. Despair doesn’t have to disqualify us. Don’t isolate. Confess. Let others know you’re struggling and then pray for one another.