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WORD FOR YOU

07 NOVEMBER 2021
‘The LORD asked, “Elijah, why are you here?”’
1 Kings 19:9 CEV

After being restored through proper food and rest, Elijah travelled for forty days. Then he went into a cave and spent the night. In the morning, God asked him, ‘Why are you here?’ Elijah answered: ‘I’ve always done my best to obey you. But your people have broken their solemn promise to you. They have torn down your altars and killed all your prophets, except me. And now they are even trying to kill me!’ (v.10 CEV). When we’re experiencing depression, it’s important to tell God about our frustrations. Elijah poured out all his feelings, and God allowed him to let off steam. He wasn’t shocked by Elijah’s complaints. Sometimes it’s helpful to share our feelings with a trusted friend. It’s cathartic, a cleaning out, a venting of all the things that have been pushed down inside and that are contributing to feelings of depression. And Elijah had plenty of stuff pushed down inside. Here are some of the emotions he experienced: He was afraid (see v.3 CEV). Then he felt resentment, followed by low self-esteem and guilt. ‘I’ve had enough…I’m no better off than my ancestors’ (v.4 CEV). He was angry because he had worked hard for nothing (see v.10). He was lonely to the point of despair: ‘Now they are even trying to kill me!’ (v.10 CEV). He was worried. He was feeling so many things all at the same time, so God let him spill it all out. He invited Elijah to be honest and tell Him what was on his mind, and Elijah poured it all out to Him. When we’re feeling depressed, let’s accept God’s invitation to be honest with Him and take it all to Him in prayer.

What Now?

Be completely honest with God about how you’re feeling today. If you’re happy, thank Him for the joy you feel. If you’re anxious, let Him know what’s playing on your mind. If you’re angry, tell Him what you’re experiencing. Make sure to thank Him for being constantly loving Father and friend, no matter what your current mood.

Luke 21:1-19, Psalms 113-115

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WORD FOR YOU


Feeling depressed (3)
08 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Stand…in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’
1 Kings 19:11 NIV

The third thing God did to support Elijah in his depression was to tell him, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by’ (v.11 NIV). Next, we read: ‘Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he…went out and stood at the mouth of the cave’ (vv. 11-13 NIV). That day God put on an impressive show with the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. But He wasn’t speaking to Elijah through any of those big things. What really got Elijah’s attention was the still, small voice – the gentle whisper. God usually speaks to us in stillness and quietness – not through some big dramatic demonstration of fire or power. He whispered, ‘Elijah, I’m still right here beside you.’ If we’re feeling depressed, it can be helpful to seek a fresh reminder of God’s presence. If you’re wondering where to start, try this: Grab a Bible and go to a serene, quiet place. Sit down, read God’s Word, and spend time alone with Him. Just let Him love you and speak to you. Let Him meet your needs and let yourself feel His presence. Fellowship with God is so powerful and calming. That’s what He means when He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

What Now?

Follow the advice in today’s reading: find a calm, quiet place, read one or two of your favourite parts of the Bible, and then simply enjoy being in God’s company and letting His love surround you.

Ezekiel 14-15, Hebrews 10

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WORD FOR YOU

Feeling depressed (4)
09 NOVEMBER 2021

‘The LORD said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus.’
1 Kings 19:15 NIV

God told Elijah to go to the Desert of Damascus and anoint a new king and also a new prophet to take his place (see v.15-17). In other words, He gave Elijah a new assignment. When we’re going through a time of depression, it’s likely there’ll come a point when we need to let God give us a new direction. He’ll help us take our focus away from the pain of past hurts and problems, and refocus on something new. He might show us ways that we can use our experiences to help others who are going through something similar. Scripture says, ‘Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others’ (Philippians 2:4 NCV). We might think we’ve failed so badly that God can’t use us, or that He shares the disappointment that we feel about ourselves. But God is gentle and understanding, and He won’t reject us. Nothing in the account of Elijah suggests that God was disappointed with him. In fact, it reassures us even more about God’s love, because He was willing to walk with Elijah through depression. He didn’t once turn His back on Elijah while he was struggling with his feelings. In the New Testament, Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him, but He called him anyway, because He knew Peter would learn and grow through the experience and go on to even greater things. God hasn’t finished with us. If we make a mistake, He’ll pick us up and help us start again. One mistake – or hundreds – doesn’t make us useless, and God has just the right assignment waiting for us at the appropriate time. So let’s be open to what He’s saying to us, and allow Him to use us for His kingdom.

What Now?

Do you know anyone who is experiencing feelings of depression? Today, try to have a chat with them and sensitively reassure them of God’s love and that you care for them too.

Ezekiel 16-17, Hebrews 11

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WORD FOR YOU


Feeling depressed (5)
10 NOVEMBER 2021

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love.’
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

Depression can be very lonely. We can be good at hiding our true feelings, so nobody realises that we’re struggling. And unlike a broken leg in plaster or a sprained wrist that’s been strapped up, depression doesn’t always have obvious physical signs, so some people might not be as sympathetic as they ought to be. But God knows everything about us and He opens His arms to us. When others have been unkind (perhaps without realising), or we feel unloved, let’s try to turn our minds to remembering how much God loves and values us. We don’t want to appear weak, so we might think things like, ‘If somebody criticises me, it means I’m worthless,’ or ‘I can’t admit an area of weakness; I must be perfect or else I’m a failure.’ But let’s take another look at Elijah’s story. His feelings of depression weren’t fleeting. We’re told that after he ate and rested, he ‘travelled for forty days and forty nights’ (1 Kings 19:8 NIVUK), then God spoke to him. The Bible doesn’t say when Elijah was completely recovered, but it’s clear it wasn’t a quick fix; it was a long process. And all through that time, God never criticised, treated him unfairly or unkindly, or got frustrated with him. Instead, He accepted Elijah just as he was, and still had great plans for him. In God’s eyes, Elijah’s value never changed. He didn’t see Elijah as worthless; He saw someone who needed encouragement and time for restoration. God’s love for Elijah never wavered. His words in Jeremiah 31:3 – ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love’ (NIV) – were just as relevant to Elijah as they were to the Israelites who heard them. And they’re just as relevant to us today.

What Now?

Make a list of your favourite Bible verses that speak of God’s love for us. When you’re feeling hurt or unloved, read the verses out loud to yourself, asking God to draw near you and give you a deeper understanding of the truth of each word.

Ezekiel 18-19, Hebrews 12

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WORD FOR YOU

Direct from God
12 NOVEMBER 2021

‘What do you want your servant to do?’
Joshua 5:14 NLT

In the Book of Revelation, God emphasised different things to each of the seven churches, because they each had a different assignment and faced different challenges. It’s important to read good books and articles and listen to good mentors and teachers, but however solid their advice is, you mustn’t assume that what God has told them is also a personal message for you. There are times when you need to hear from Him for yourself. It’s fine to take advice from other people, but before making a move, always get confirmation from God first. When someone shares a word or a message from Him, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s applicable to everyone who hears it. He may be saying to one person, ‘Go ahead and take the next step now,’ but to the next person, He’s saying, ‘Wait, not yet.’ That’s why it’s vital to use discernment, testing what you’ve heard and checking with God. His blessing on what you’re doing depends on you being where He wants you to be, and doing what He wants you to do, and you must get the plan for your life directly from Him. Paul wrote, ‘We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us’ (2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). You might like the sound of someone else’s task better than your own, but taking on someone else’s purpose is never going to be as effective or successful for you, and you’ll never reach the full potential that God can see in you. If you find you’re in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing, don’t let pride or embarrassment keep you there. Pray, ‘What do you want your servant to do?’ Then, do it!

What Now?

Next time you listen to a talk from a preacher or read an article from a Bible teacher, ask God to help you discern if there are any parts that you must take as a personal message from Him and need to act on.

Ezekiel 22-23, James 1

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WORD FOR YOU

Love that lasts
13 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.’
1 John 4:7 NIV

In any type of relationship, love needs unselfishness and commitment on our part. Real love is self-sacrificing and it means taking the focus off ourselves and centring it on others. And it doesn’t come easily or naturally to any of us. The truth is that we’re all self-centred. In our own natural selves, we’re reluctant to give up things like our time, money, possessions, or skills in order to meet the needs of other people – unless we’re highly motivated or we’re well rewarded for it. That’s why the Bible teaches us that one of the secrets of having a close relationship with someone else is to first have a close relationship with God. John the apostle wrote, ‘Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love’ (v.7-8 NIV). And God will download that kind of love into our hearts if we ask Him for it. Here’s how He does it: ‘God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us’ (Romans 5:5 NIV). This kind of love grows as we mature it. It develops as we feed it. It expands as we persist in it. The more we show love by putting others’ needs before our own and treating them with the kindness and generosity that God has shown to us, the more our capacity for love will increase. ‘Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them’ (1 John 4:16 NIV). This type of love isn’t dependent on external circumstances or what we can gain from a relationship. This is the type of love that lasts.

What Now?

Is there something that you want to do for yourself today? If you can, try delaying it or setting it aside for an hour or so, and spend that time with a loved one, or spend it doing something for them, instead.

Ezekiel 24-26, James 2

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WORD FOR YOU

Overcoming insecurity (1)
14 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Our competence comes from God. He has made us competent.’
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NIV

Ever heard of imposter syndrome? It’s something we can experience when we don’t see ourselves as capable and worthy of where we are, and we think we’re less competent than others believe us to be. The truth is, these feelings of insecurity can stop us in our tracks. When we feel like we’re not qualified for the task we’ve been given, our self-doubt can even make us act in ways that prevent us from completing it successfully, or even at all. One of the biggest problems with insecurity is that it’s incredibly difficult to acknowledge, so we don’t bring it into the open and can’t work towards overcoming it. We can be afraid of admitting we’re feeling vulnerable because we think that it’ll weaken us in other people’s eyes, give them ammunition to criticise us, and give others an unfair advantage over us. Insecurity can make it difficult for us to trust others, so we keep them at a distance and miss out on the counsel and support of people who could help us. Insecurity will whisper to us, ‘If people really knew you, they wouldn’t love you, respect you, invite you, trust you, or spend their time and effort on you.’ So we keep hiding it. But God has provided us with an answer to our insecurities. Paul wrote, ‘Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.’ The first step towards overcoming insecurity is to start drawing our self-worth from God and learning to see ourselves through His eyes. And we can only do that by spending time with Him in prayer and reading His Word each day.

What Now?

While looking in a mirror, read some of the Bible truths about God’s love for us. Speak God’s Words of security over yourself.

Luke 21:20-38, Psalms 116-118

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WORD FOR YOU

Overcoming insecurity (2)
15 NOVEMBER 2021

‘God can pour on the blessings…so that you’re ready for anything and everything.’
2 Corinthians 9:8 MSG

Insecurity destroys our self-esteem by making us feel unqualified and undeserving. It can make us feel afraid to let anyone know we’re less than perfect, so we resist being taught and take offence at honest criticism. The advice and constructive criticism that we need in order to grow become the last things we’re willing to accept. And if we don’t allow growth to take place, we’ll find it difficult to face increasing challenges and we won’t be empowered to seize opportunities that come our way. Deep down, we may feel incompetent, unaccepted, disapproved of, and rejected. If our sense of well-being and confidence comes from any source (and that includes ourselves) other than God, it’s very likely that we’ll always struggle with insecurity. That’s why Paul wrote: ‘God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.’ Another translation puts it this way: ‘God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work’ (NIV). As long as we’re trusting in ourselves or in others, we’ll struggle with uncertainty and self-doubt. But the moment we start trusting in God and what He can do in us, with us, through us, and for us, we begin to feel differently about ourselves. As we spend more time with Him and learn to see ourselves through His eyes, His approval and love will fill our hearts, and we’ll be able to confidently say, ‘Lord, everything I need to succeed in life I have in you!’

What Now?

Make an honest assessment of where you draw your confidence from. If God is low down on your list of sources, ask Him to help you trust Him and His opinion more and more each day until He’s at the top of your list.

Ezekiel 27-29, James 3

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WORD FOR YOU

Praying and fasting
16 NOVEMBER 2021

‘We fasted and prayed about these concerns. And he listened.’
Ezra 8:23 MSG

Several times in the Bible, we read about people praying and fasting. In 2 Samuel 12, David prayed and fasted when his son was ill. When the Jewish people were threatened with annihilation, Esther fasted before visiting the king (see Esther 4:16). Anna the prophetess ‘never left the Temple; day and night she worshipped God, fasting and praying’ (Luke 2:37 GNB). The Bible doesn’t command us to fast. It’s not compulsory, and God certainly isn’t going to reject us or our prayers if we choose not to do it. But the discipline of fasting in a godly way encourages us to say no to our physical needs so that we can focus on our spiritual ones. It’s about putting other things aside for a while so we can keep our minds fixed on God. When we think of fasting, we generally think about going without food. But that isn’t appropriate for everyone to do, and God understands that. So there are other ways we can fast. In Daniel 10 we read: ‘I did not eat any fancy food or meat, or drink any wine, or use any perfumed oil for three weeks’ (v.3 NCV). We might choose to cut out certain foods we enjoy for a few days, or to eat as normal but drink only water. (However, we must always use wisdom when changing our diet in some way. We mustn’t put our health at risk.) We could even give up social media for a while, or if we love reading, we could refuse to read any book other than the Bible. Fasting is a way of showing our devotion to God, and saying that even though there are many things we love, none of them compare to Him. He’s always first in our lives.

What Now?

Could you give something up today (such as watching TV or playing games on your phone) and spend the time with God instead? Or could you swap something, such as your usual music for a worship playlist for the day?

Ezekiel 30-32, James 4

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WORD FOR YOU

An attitude of faith
17 NOVEMBER 2021

‘Everything that has happened to me here has helped.’
Philippians 1:12 NLT

In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul wrote: ‘I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear’ (Philippines 1:12-14 NLT). Later on, he wrote, ‘Always be full of joy’ (Philippians 4:4 NLT). It doesn’t sound like the sort of thing you’d write while in prison, but that’s exactly where Paul was. He couldn’t control his environment, but he chose an attitude that enabled him to overcome it. He chose to draw His peace from God and have faith. It can be difficult for us to lift our thoughts out of our immediate circumstances and fix them on God, but it can help if we remember that whatever’s happening around us, He’s always with us. Paul reassures us with these words: ‘I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:38-39 NCV). Nothing has the power to stop God loving us, and even if the situation we’re in is anything but joyful, our faith in Him can bring a sense of inner peace that can’t be shaken. The last words recorded in the Bible are these: ‘The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen’ (Revelation 22:21 NKJV). Whatever happens, trust God – He’ll give us the grace to handle it.

What Now?

If you’re going through difficult circumstances, play your favourite worship song or read a chapter of the Bible that you love. Try to take your mind away from your physical place for a few minutes and instead focus on your place in God’s heart.

Ezekiel 33-34, James 5