Under the broom tree
A teaching for hard times · 1 Kings 19:3–8
3And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4while he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” 8So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
Context
Elijah had just lived through a great victory on Mount Carmel, when God answered with fire before the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Right after, Queen Jezebel threatens to kill him. The prophet flees south, leaves his servant behind and goes alone into the wilderness. There, exhausted and without hope, he asks God to take his life. It is one of the most honest portraits of burnout in the whole Bible.
What the Bible teaches
Elijah was a man of extraordinary faith and, even so, he came to say: “I have had enough, LORD,” and “Take my life.” The Bible does not hide this. Depression, anxiety and thoughts of death can strike people of deep faith. They are not a sign of spiritual weakness or a reason for shame.
Notice what God does first. There is no sermon and no rebuke. An angel touches Elijah, offers bread and water, lets him sleep, comes back and offers again, saying that otherwise “the journey will be too much for you.” God cares for the body before talking about the future. Sleep, food and rest, and today also therapy and medication when indicated, are part of that care.
In the family, this means taking it seriously when someone says they can't take it anymore. Don't answer with it's a lack of prayer or just think positive. Stay close, ask calmly, help them find care and don't leave the person alone. Children and teenagers also suffer from anxiety and depression. Elijah left that place with strength to walk, and his story went on.
In practice
Today, calmly ask someone in the family: how are you really doing? Listen without correcting and, if needed, help them book an appointment.
To talk about
When you feel you're at your limit, what helps, and what do people say that ends up making it worse?
Prayer
Lord, there are days when I say: I've had enough. Thank You for not despising me in that place. Care for my body and my mind, place people beside me and give me courage to ask for help. May I find strength for the next step. Amen.
See also: Elijah.