My Elijah Moment
It has been quite a season for me! My first book, The Widow Wore Pink launched. I had lots of speaking engagements and God gave me inspired, transformative messages to share. I prayed and laughed and cried with women in cities all over the midwest.
It was wonderful.
Have you had a season like that, busy but beautiful?
God has moved or whispered or you have had a break through.
You are sure he must love you more than most.
Right after Elijah has one of the biggest God-moments in the Bible, we find him hiding in a cave, fearing for his life (see 1 Kings 19:1-9).
What?
Don’t judge. That happens to me.
A lot.
I have an encounter with God at an event.
I experience God’s presence and pleasure in worship.
I pray with a woman and she is set free!
I have a conversation with an event planner that’s a perfect fit for my talks.
My hair turned out perfectly. (remember, don’t judge)
Life is so good!
Then I get slammed.
A misunderstanding with someone I love.
An automobile I need refuses to function.
An unexpected bill arrives.
A disappointment, a rejection, a heart wound.
I want to curl up in the fetal position and suck my thumb.
Like Elijah, I want to run away, hide in a cave and fuss at God.
Does that happen to you, too?
That’s when I find that I must remember the God who touched me in worship, the One who whispered or convicted or healed or moved is the same God now and forever.
When I find myself sitting in my proverbial cave,
I practice this simple strategy to get back on track.
I tell myself aloud all the characteristics of God I know to be true.
He is Awesome (Psalm 47:2)
He cares about me (1 Peter 5:7)
He loves me (John 3:16)
He knows my situation (Psalms 139:1-2)
He created me (119:73)
He celebrates me. (Zephaniah 3:17)
He is all powerful (Jeremiah 32:17)
He keeps his promises (Deuteronomy 7:9)
He does not make mistakes (Psalm 18:30)
He has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11)
He redeemed all my past messes and worked them for good. (Romans 8:28)
He will never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8) …
Then I think about all the times in the past that He has been faithful.
Times He has come through for me.
Just like he did for Elijah whom God gently
restored, (1 Kings 19:9-21)
repurposed (2 Kings 2:1-25) and
renewed (Luke 9:30).
Think of all the times in the past that God has been faithful.
Think about Bible accounts where He
rescued Daniel, (Daniel 6) or
restored David, (2 Samuel 12) or
encouraged Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 32)
Stand firm, girlfriend, in who God is!
If he was faithful then, He will be faithful now.
Because our God never changes.
Scripture refresher: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17, NIV)
Prayer: God, please be my ever present help in times of trouble. I know that you love me and work all things for my good. Remind me to be watchful for how you are moving. Remind me that you have never let me down and I can trust you. Amen
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FORWARDIING THESE ENCOURAGING STORIES AND SCRIPTURE REMINDERS.
Always RIGHT ON TIME! And YES, I can relate!
Robin, I enjoyed your seminar so much in August, I gave your information to a church nearby me. They may be giving you a call for next year’s LADIES DAY AWAY, in CAMBRIA MICHIGAN.
Hurrah! I’m always eager to share my story and God’s word! Thanks for the recommendation and encouragment, Karen.
I needed that…I came to your workshop this summer and since then my life has just got tougher. My husband of not even one year has decided that he needs to lord it over me and is relentless in his jabs and insults in person and on txt…he keeps throwing scripture at me to support his idea of my “place” in the marriage. He is now starting, to me, attack the worth of my kids. One is 17 and the other is 28 and is disabled from a car accident from a brain injury. I know God is faithful and he will work out his plan for my life. It is hard to stay focused on the fact that we are only here temporarily and then we are called home to be with our Lord for eternity. I have decided that for me and my house, we will serve the Lord with or without my husband. ….I want to thank you for what you do and I was sorry that I cut out early on that weekend. I was overwhelmed and felt too alone to stay the whole event. The part I stayed for did refresh me and give me hope. My hope is in the Lord!…. In Christian Love, Kathy
Kathy, I am so sorry about your situation and admire your faithful courage. I know it can be really hard to know what to do or how to respond in those situations. I strongly advise you not to navigate this journey alone. Talk to a trusted pastor or counselor for a fresh perspective on what your true “place” should be according to God and his Word. Blessings on you, Kathy.
Thank you for this post – I was in that place earlier this morning. I’ve exited the cave and will stop fussing. God bless you.
Happy to hear the good report, Jane. Have an excellent day. Thanks for your encouragement.
Powerfully Message. Sometimes in this walk of Yes Lord it seems the struggles I face are mine alone. Though I know there truly is nothing new under the sun and how the things that I go through are common to man. I have had some of the same tihings happen after GOD has so powerfully used me. Wow. Thanks for your transparency. I completely understand how Elijah went and hid in the cave. I thank GOD for being a GOD of even our cave moments. Thanks again. Conintue to walk in the Power of the Lord.
Dewanna,
Thanks for your honesty. May we never think the cave is the best place to reside!
We can always look to Jesus for a hand up and out. 🙂
Blessings,
Robyn
Robin, my daughter who is an alcoholic was coming with me this weekend, but her addiction is raging again. She says she has a legitimate reason and can’t come. She has sent hateful texts to myself and her sister whom we live with. She had 6 years of sobriety, went back to college, got her teaching degree and minor in psychology and is very close to loosing it all. She read your book, The Widow Wore Pink, and seemed excited to come. I believe God knows and is in control of everything. Every time she’s drinking/drugging she lashes out at me. I’ve always embraced her return. This time I’ve told her I’m in God’s way and she needs to figure out what she’s hiding from God. I’m bringing my niece, whose so excited to return to Miracle Camp. A fried gifted me last year and due to a family situation, not only gifted me but an additional person. Praising God for His provision. Barbie
Hi Barbie,
That is a lot to handle, but I am so proud of you for loving well even when it’s so hard. I pray for you to know what to say and when to say it and how it should come out so you get the best result when interacting with her. I pray for her to be free of addiction, for a sound mind and for a soft heart. Jesus. So be it. amen