Life Of A DiscipleSample

Eric Johnson

Scriptures:
1 Kings 16, 17, 18, & 19

How many of us are just moments away from our greatest breakthrough, but something tries to hold us back from hanging on? When it comes to emotions, whether you’re in the best season of your life or the worst, it’s valuable to address them. We don’t often talk about the incredibly important facet of who we are as humans, or we encourage ourselves or others to not be emotional or to “pull it together.” But coming face to face with how we’re really doing on the inside is vital to living as healthy disciples, and to becoming people who change the world. 

As we follow along with the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 16-19, we see a man who initially operates in a place of confidence, tenacity, and hope, but moves to a place of fear, anxiety, and depression. After many victorious acts of faith, Elijah receives word from a messenger sent by Jezebel threatening his life, and it immediately brings exceptional fear and a deep depression to the surface. In the wilderness where he runs to, he tells God that he is giving up - the victories and testimonies do not feel like they have been enough to turn a nation towards heaven. 

Elijah journeys on from this place for forty days, telling us that God is not in as much of a hurry to get us out of our emotions as we are, and reminding us that if we don’t confront ourselves at any point in our lives, we won’t experience another side of His goodness. When he arrives at his destination, he tells God everything he is feeling. As God meets with Elijah in the cave, and on the mountainside in the “thin silence” (the space between words), he sees a part of God he’s never seen before. Because of Elijah’s willingness to meet God in the cave, God empowers him again to step into the future movement he is called to. 

When we allow God to meet us in the cave, He can heal us, lead us, and help us to become the strength to humanity He created us to be! ⠀

So, today, ask yourself the following:

1. What areas are you pushing through and inviting God to be your strength for the breakthrough?
2. How are you facing your emotions, and allowing God to help you confront yourself?
3. What is your vision from God for the future movement that you are called to be a part of?
4. How do you hear the voice of God?

We would to thank Bethel.TV for providing this plan. For more information and to join the Facebook group go to bethel.ws/disciplefb