ToddGaddisBook_October2023_8.5x5.5.indd

Share your burdens with God. Elijah certainly did, lamenting to the Lord that he had gone through enough and was at his wit’s end. A key takeaway I’ve learned from decades of Bible study/sermon preparation, one that I’m trying hard to get across in this book, is that God’s servants in the Bible were not afraid to bare their souls to Him in prayer. In addition to examples we’ve already discussed, note the way Moses, a leader who constantly battled discouragement and perhaps even depression, expressed himself to the Lord. When Pharaoh turned up the heat and increased the work load of the Israelites, triggering relentless complaining on the part of the people, Moses cried out, “O Lord, why haveYou brought harm to this people?Why did you ever send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak inYour name, he has done harm to this people, and you have not de liveredYour people at all” (Exodus 5:22-23). God was not surprised or offended by Moses’ outburst. In fact, He used this as an oppor tunity to reassure Moses of the plan for His people. Going to others, such as family, friends, and trained profes sionals can certainly help you through emotional battles. Just make sure you start by going to God. Anticipate a visit from God. The first time Elijah prayed, an angel came and ministered to him. Forty days later, God Himself spoke to the prophet in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12). Having preached numerous times on the life of Abraham, I marvel at the number of times God “visited” him.Whether by voice, vision, or personal representation, God came to call, inform, inspire and test (see Gen. 12:1, 12:7,13:14, 15:1, 17:1, 18:1, 22:1). During Paul’s final voyage to Rome, a storm packing hurri cane force winds threatened to kill everyone aboard. Then an angel

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