Guard Your Emotions
Elijah performed a mighty act of God on Mount Carmel when he called down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice. He also killed the 450 prophets of Baal and then prophesied so that it rained for the first time in three years. King Ahab told the Queen Jezebel what Elijah had done on Mount Carmel. “Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow”” (1 Kings 19:2). Elijah’s response was to run away, leaving his servant behind and travelled into the wilderness alone. He then prayed for God to take his life and regarded himself as being no better than his fathers.
Elijah slept and an angel came twice and offered food and a drink. After eating, drinking and resting, Elijah had enough strength to travel for another forty days. He travelled to a cave to sit in hiding and the Lord appeared and asked what he was doing in the cave. Elijah shared his sad story about the threats from Jezebel. “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10).
God spoke to Elijah through a low whisper and then repeated the question. Elijah repeated his story about being the only one left who was serving God and they wanted him dead. The irony is that Elijah’s story was not true because God told him that there were seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. God the instructed Elijah to return to anoint a King over Syria, a King over Israel and Elisha to succeed him as prophet. The interesting thing about this story is that God listened to what Elijah had to say. God did not rebuke him but corrected his faulty thinking.
You have to wonder what made Elijah think that he was the only one left in Israel who remained faithful to God? This is what we call self-pity and exhaustion. Elijah was tired from his battle on Mount Carmel and needed some rest and a good meal. During seasons of great battles, we have to take time out to rest and recharge. Being tired and exhausted can leave us emotionally worn out and make us an easy prey for the lies of the enemy. We also have to balance our perspective and ensure that we are not being led by our emotions. Stay connected to God, make the time to rest and recharge and trust your emotions to God.
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
August 25, 2021August 26, 2021
