Introduction

A. Discouragement is toxic to your soul.

1. Personal = I am a failure.
2. Pervasive = Everything is wrong.
3. Permanent = It will never get better.

B. Elijah was discouraged.

1. He was emotionally exhausted.
2. He was physically fatigued.
3. He was spiritually alone.

A. You focus on feelings not facts.

1. Elijah felt alone = but he wasn’t
2. Elijah felt defeated = but he wasn’t
3. Elijah felt overwhelmed = but he wasn’t

B. You serve in your own strength not God’s strength.

1. Elijah was running and running. God never told Elijah to run to the wilderness. v. 3-4
2. Rest = Elijah slept
3. Eat = Word of God
4. Drink = Holy Spirit
5. Repeat = v. 6

C. You compare yourself to others.

1. Elijah was comparing himself to the Israelites.
2. When your eyes are on people, you will get discouraged.
3. Social media = People get depressed when they compare their life to another person’s highlight reel.
4. Exod. 20:17

D. You blame yourself for things that are not your fault.

1. Elijah was not to blame for Israel’s idolatry.
2. Elijah was not to blame for King Ahab’s rebellion.
3. You can influence people, but you can’t control them.

E. You exaggerate the negative.

1. Personal = I am a failure.
2. Pervasive = Everything is wrong.
3. Permanent = It will never get better.

A. Rest but don’t quit.

1. Weariness promotes discouragement.

B. Release your frustrations but stop complaining.

1. v. 10, 14 = Elijah kept complaining
2. Talk to God about your frustrations but leave it at the altar.

C. Refocus on God’s will.

1. v. 12 “A still small voice.”
2. To hear God’s small voice, you must get quiet, you must get close, and you must lean in.

B. Recommit your life to God.

1. v. 15 = Anoint Hazael
2. v. 16 = Anoint Jehu
3. v. 16 = Anoint Elisha

E. Reconnect with God’s people.

1. v. 18
2. “Encourage one another, pray for one another, feed one another.”

Conclusion

A. Do you have a “spirit of heaviness?”

B. Is your soul “cast down?”

C. Offer the sacrifice of praise today.