How to Handle Your Emotions (Counseling Through the Bible Series) (16 page)
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Saul, in the midst of an elevated mood, said, “‘God has handed him [David] over to me’…Saul called up all his forces for battle…to besiege David and his men” (1 Samuel 23:7-8). But Saul’s presumption was dead wrong. | |
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Although God had delivered Saul in many battles, when Saul’s army was challenged by the Philistine giant Goliath, “Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” Clearly God had anointed Saul as king, yet Saul continued to battle debilitating fear and hopelessness. Later, when Saul was again challenged by the Philistines, “He was afraid; terror filled his heart” (1 Samuel 17:11; 28:5). | |
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Often David soothed Saul’s troubled spirit by playing the harp. On one occasion, “while David was playing the harp, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall” (1 Samuel 16:23; 19:9-10). | |
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“He [Saul] was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did.” With no provocation whatsoever, “Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, ‘I’ll pin David to the wall.’ But David eluded him twice” (1 Samuel 18:10-11). | |
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Saul, in his attempt to find and kill David, made unjust accusations toward his son and innocent countrymen: “Will the son of Jesse [David] give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today” (1 Samuel 22:7-8). | |
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When Saul falsely accused a priest who innocently helped David, the priest sought to reason with Saul: “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?” But in denial, Saul said to the priest, “You will surely die…you and your father’s whole family” (1 Samuel 22:14,16). | |
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Saul learned that David had spared his life. With periodic, overwhelming sadness, Saul expressed his dread of the future, saying, “I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the L | |
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Saul was in such a depressed state that he said, “I will not eat” (1 Samuel 28:23). | |
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Upon receiving a critical wound in battle and being unable to persuade his armor-bearer to kill him, “Saul took his own sword and fell on it” (1 Samuel 31:4). |
Elijah’s Descent into Depression
Elijah was a mighty man of God. At a supernatural showdown on Mount Carmel, he courageously stood up to 450 false prophets. The “contest” involved whose “God” could miraculously set fire to a wood sacrifice upon an altar. In the end, this act would prove to all Israel who was the one true God.
The false prophets, after a full day of pleading, could not cause their false god to bring down fire from heaven. When it was Elijah’s turn, he began by thoroughly drenching the wood with water. Then Elijah called upon God, who sent the fire to consume the water-soaked sacrifice. As a result, all of Israel “fell prostrate and cried, ‘The L
ORD
—he is God! The L
ORD
he is God!’” (1 Kings 18:39).
Angry that Elijah had upstaged her 450 false prophets, the wicked Queen Jezebel delivered a death threat against Elijah. This prophet who had been so bold suddenly melted in fear and fled into the desert. Discouraged and depressed, feeling like a failure, he wearily pleaded, “I have had enough L
ORD
. Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4).
In spite of Elijah’s despondent condition, the Lord ministered to him, met his needs, and gave him new hope for his heart.
Loss
One or more basic needs are threatened.
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Love Significance Security
Elijah’s security was threatened.
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there”
(1 K
INGS
19:3).
Negative Thinking Patterns
Self-Pity Self-condemnation Fear Hopelessness
Elijah thought to himself,
I have had enough,
and asked God to take his life.
“He himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, L
ORD
,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am not better than my ancestors’”
(1 K
INGS
19:4).
Repressed Anger
Buried resentment over circumstances
Elijah was frustrated that all his efforts seemed in vain.
“He replied, ‘I have been very zealous for the L
ORD
God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too’”
(1 K
INGS
19:10).
