Under the Juniper Tree

Under the juniper tree was where Elijah sat, after receiving news of an edict issued by the Queen of Israel - Jezebel - to have him captured and killed. He fled to Beersheba, left his servant behind, and traveled into the wilderness, where he found a juniper tree, sat, and lamented.

a juniper tree only has enough shade for one person

And Elijah sat alone - depressed - asked God to take his life - pitied himself - asked God why he was the only one left. Depressed (or more recently known as Emo). As we move out this week, there will be much joy, but there will also be many times that we will stumble, that we will be discouraged, that we might sink into depression. And this post - is to encourage those who are discouraged - maybe even to preserve some wise words for a future me.

We sink into depression -
we're not thinking straight
we're isolating ourselves from sources of encouragement
we're pitying ourselves

I've been depressed before. Moments when I've crouched in the corner of the room, cried and wept over my own suffering - perhaps thinking that God would be pleased with such depression, with such desperation. Perhaps even thinking that God was punishing me with depression. Perhaps thinking that only God's divine intervention could remove my depression.

But watch it. Meditating on depressing thoughts is a pitfall. watch it my friends.

When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!

When you're depressed, remember this - God still cares. God still provides. When Elijah was depressed, God sent an angel to give him food, and God gave him physical rest. God spoke not in the furious wind, or the trembling earthquake, or the blistering fire -

God spoke in the gentle breeze.

"What are you doing there Elijah?"

When you're done. Remember your best friend - Jesus. And hear his voice calling out

"What are you doing there?"

not in anger, but as a sincere and concern friend.