Pastor Greg Laurie, in a recent message on the prophet Elijah, offered a timely and uplifting word for believers who find themselves discouraged, even after moments of great spiritual success.
“Times of depression and vulnerability often come after great victories,” Laurie said. Using the dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel from 1 Kings 18 as a backdrop, Laurie explained how Elijah, the same prophet who called down fire from heaven and defeated 850 false prophets, soon fled in fear from Jezebel’s threat.
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“You would think Elijah, the guy who called fire from heaven, the guy who raised a boy from the dead, a guy who stopped the rain, you’re afraid of the threat of one woman? Yes, he was,” Laurie said. “Why, though? Simple answer, James 5:17. Because Elijah was as human as we are.”
Laurie’s words cut through the myth that strong believers are immune to emotional lows. He reminded listeners that even spiritual giants like Moses, Jonah and Paul wrestled with despair: “Moses became so blue he asked God to take his life. Jonah… said the same thing. Even the apostle Paul got so down, he said he despaired of life.”
What leads to this post-victory plunge? Laurie suggested that misplaced expectations can play a role. “Maybe Elijah was hoping that Ahab would come around spiritually. Maybe he even thought that Jezebel would believe. But it was the opposite.”
For believers navigating emotional valleys, Laurie offered four key points of encouragement.
First, don’t isolate. “When you are depressed, do not isolate, but surround yourself with friends,” he urged. “Elijah should have had a trusted friend who could encourage him.” Even Jesus, Laurie pointed out, asked his closest disciples to sit with Him during His darkest hour in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Jesus didn’t need a sermon… But He did need a little companionship.”
Second, get perspective from God’s Word. In the wilderness, God asked Elijah a piercing question: “What are you doing here?” Laurie applied this personally: “Maybe somebody listening to me right now finds themselves in a cave of sorts… and the Lord’s saying, ‘What are you doing here?’”
Third, be willing to let go of sin. “Not everybody wants to be free from the lifestyle they’ve chosen,” Laurie warned. “But some do. And if you want to be free… say, ‘Yes, Lord, heal me.’”
Fourth, remember that God is always in control. Citing Romans 8, Laurie reminded viewers that God speaks to our past (“There is now no condemnation…”), our present (“All things work together for good…”), and our future (“Nothing will ever stop God from loving you”).
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To anyone struggling today, Laurie delivered a heartfelt reassurance: “God is not mad at you. God is mad about you. He can’t keep His eyes off of you.”
And just like God met Elijah in the wilderness, Laurie believes He’ll meet you too. “If you want to be healed, you call out to Him and He’ll hear your voice.”
For those who feel weary after winning, that reminder may be just what they need.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
