Speaker: Pastor Neil Lindwall

Additional Resources: Extra readings are available on this page and appear indented like this.

NIV 1 Kings 19:1-5a Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 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.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. …

Burnout

Fallout 

According to a study published in World Psychiatry, chronic burnout is linked to a 63% higher likelihood of visiting the emergency room and a 23% higher risk of coronary heart disease.  

Depersonalization. People stop being family to be loved & start being problems to be solved. You view others with cynicism. Elijah looked past 7,000 faithful & could only see one Jezebel.

Cognitive Erosion. Burnout thins the grey matter in the prefrontal cortex (the area responsible for logic and decision-making) and enlarges the amygdala (the fear center). "Brain fog," inability to make simple decisions, and catastrophizing.  

Isolationism. Burnout convinces you that you are the Only One. Withdraw from community, ghost friends, and hiding from others in the “cave” of isolation.

NIV 1 Kings 19:5-9 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

Commitment  

• Physical & Emotional Exhaustion.  

• Isolation & Spiraling.  

• Loss of Perspective:  

Compassion 

ESV 1 Kings 19:9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

ESV 1 Kings 19:10 He said, “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.”  

ESV 1 Kings 19:11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

1 Kings 19:13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

1 Kings 19:14-18 He said, “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.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”  

Jealous: qānā̓, “kaw-naw'”– properly, be zealous; used of God showing pure, intense desire – to keep (retain) what is good by His righteous jealousy. – Excerpt from HELP Lexicon

Restoration  

REST, STAND, RETURN

• Honor the Broom Tree.  - Physical Wellbeing 
• Listen for the Whisper.  - Spiritual Health
• Go Back the Way You Came.  - Faithful Obedience