Are you exhausted, burned out and fearful? (101-3)

Sooner or later every Christian leader comes to the point in life where they are not seeking God’s power and provision but only God’s presence. Read 1 Kings 17-19.

Elijah was one of Israel’s greatest prophets. His amazing story is recorded in 1 Kings 17:1-2 Kings 2:11. From the time we’re introduced to him, we see Elijah as an extremely brave leader. His first recorded words reflect confrontation and condemnation when he delivered God’s message to a godless king. It took courage to bring the message, “There will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except by my word” (1 Kings 17:1), to a king that was trying to build prosperity and security for people living in an agrarian society.

Elijah’s words so angered the king that God had to hide the prophet from the king for three years just to protect him from being executed by the king. When God finally directed Elijah to come out of hiding, his first assignment was to go to the king and inform him of God’s condemnation of his disobedience and arrange a duel between the one true God and the god the king worshiped.

This amazing account illustrates Elijah’s leadership, courage, trust in God and belief in the effectiveness of prayer. Elijah’s story is filled with so many amazing miracles that we could begin to see Elijah as some sort of Bible superhero. But, after demonstrating all this power and courage Elijah suffered severe burnout and ran for his life fearing the king and his family.

Interesting how God reacts when one of His leaders becomes burned out, depressed and terrified. God met his physical need for rest and patiently listened to him pour out his frustration and anxiety. God ministered through His presence to his frightened, discouraged, exhausted leader. God didn’t scold or accuse but allowed Elijah time for recovery and helped him assess the situation and once again see God’s plan for his leadership role.

Just like Elijah, the great prophet, the man who had worked miracles and witnessed God’s power, there are times when every leader will need quiet time with God to experience His intimacy, rest, healing, and re-focus on God’s mission for them.

Are you exhausted? Do you feel burned out and fearful? Are you afraid to admit your needs for fear your team may think less of you when they see you are just like them in your emotional, spiritual and physical needs? Honest, self-evaluating leaders learn from the great leader Elijah; we all have need for a time of rest when we can get alone with God to re-establish our understanding of His mission for us.