Have you ever struggled with something that seemed to just weigh you down to the point you felt like if things didn’t change soon, you didn’t know how to make it into the next day? As things intensified you thought about giving up or throwing in the towel to call it quits. You knew you’ve made it through things worse than this before—but this time something’s different. This time you didn’t have the strength to see past your problem. Cheer-up, you’re not alone.
Elijah just had a great victory over the false prophets in the land, and God had shown Himself to be the true God of Israel. Jezebel got word that her prophets were dead and sent word to Elijah that she would do the same to him by that same time the next day. Hearing that negative word against him, Elijah went a whole day’s journey into the wilderness alone and sat under a Jupiter tree praying that God would take his life—for enough was enough. Sounds like to me—he had given up. The weight of the task had taken its toll and now the enemy sends two of his friends to minister to his mind.
When this happens, we must stop to take notice of what we’re feeling, and when it started. It helps to identify the source, so it can be dealt with properly. It’s difficult to fix what you can’t see or change what you don’t understand. Often times, it’s not so much about our problem or situation. The truth is that we are in a battle with discouragement and depression (AKA—DD). They are on a mission and may have come-in and taken up residence in our minds and hearts.
They don’t just come and then go—no, their intention is to remain. In order to wear us down completely, they move-in little by little. They move in slowly and discreetly hoping that each time they show up, we won’t’ realize that they are attacking the very essence of our being. If we don’t deal with them upfront and in the beginning, they will continue to leave behind their residue from each dilemma we face, which will ultimately give them easier access to us later. When we identify one—it’s likely that the other one is not too far behind. This should be our incentive to “Shake Ourselves Loose” sooner rather than later.
When all confidence is gone and you’re feeling down and hopeless—it’s time to have A “Bout” with DD and “Shake Yourself Loose” from their torment. We can’t lay there and take it—we must be willing to fight against it. We must be willing to come out from up under their pressure and move through our days with hope and the peace God provides. Whenever they show up, being willing to “Shake Yourself Loose” from the forces that are designed to make your life miserable at best, is the most important task at defeating them.
I encourage you, to make a decision today, to “Shake Yourself Loose” and go ahead and have that “Bout with DD” until your peace and hope returns. Work with God to rid you from their torment—holding your head up high, knowing how blessed you really are regardless of the current challenge you may be facing. It’s high time to “Shake Yourself Loose” and have that “Bout” with DD! (Read 1 Kings 19:1-4 and Philippians 4:7 KJV)
