Enough!

Welcome to October! Yes, you read that correctly; we’re officially in the last quarter of 2026. Yikes! My mind is reeling at how fast these nine months have gone by, but I am looking forward to cooler temps, fall colors, and rainy Saturdays curled up with a good book. What are you joyfully anticipating for the remaining months of this year?

As you identify the joys of life that will warm your heart and put a smile on your face, this is a perfect time for a wellness check. Sharing the gospel and remaining true to God may bring ridicule, persecution, and even ostracism from those we hold closest to our hearts. Have you experienced any of these challenges on your faith journey? If so, how have they impacted your mental, emotional, and spiritual health? 

Because Christians are faithful and trust that God will make all things work together for the good of those who love Him, some assume that we never battle emotional turmoil. The truth is that believers get weary, too.

We need look no further than the minor prophet Elijah, who prayed for God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). Why would a prophet of God pray to die? Elijah boldly stood before King Ahab and declared, “I have not brought disaster to Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have abandoned the commandment of the Lord and you have followed the Baals” (1 Kings 18:18). 

What boldness! This statement set the course for what would eventually lead to a series of events that filled Elijah with such despair that he wanted his life to end.  

The seer continued to speak fearlessly before Ahab, Israel’s most wicked ruler (1 Kings 16:30 and 21:25). Elijah instructed him to gather the people to Mount Carmel, and the king obeyed! There on the mount, he challenged the people of Israel to decide once and for all – to follow Baal or the one true God.

While all of Israel watched, Elijah told the prophets of Baal to call on their god to consume a sacrificial ox with fire, and he would pray to Yahweh. I am sure you already know the outcome. The Lord sent fire and consumed the sacrifice, but Baal did not answer his followers’ prayers because he could not. Seeing this, the people fell to the ground and believed.

With the Israelites’ newfound belief, the false prophets had to be destroyed. Elijah demanded, “Seize the prophets of Baal” (1 Kings 18:40). He slaughtered four hundred and fifty of them. Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife, burned with anger after hearing about these deaths. She vowed that Elijah would suffer the same fate (1 Kings 19:2).

Fearful for his life, he ran to the wilderness, where he cried, “Enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4).

Our Heavenly Father heard his lament and sent an angel of the Lord to minister to his weary soul. The angel touched him and instructed him to “eat, for the journey is too great for you” (1 Kings 19:8). He did as the angel instructed. Yet, the heart of this man of God was still heavy with the burden of leading obstinate people. Then the Lord spoke to Elijah and strengthened him to continue his assignment (1 Kings 19:9-10).  

I love Elijah’s story! It is riveting and inspiring, especially in those moments when our efforts to share the gospel may not produce fruit the way we prayed. So I encourage you to read 1 Kings 17-19 and 2 Kings 1-2. As you read these passages, you will see God’s hand in the miracles Elijah performed, the warnings he prophesied, the words he spoke to the wicked ruler, and his reliance on the Lord to do the work Yahweh called him to do.

His journey testifies to what the Savior will do for you and me when we suffer bouts of emotional strain and spiritual weariness as we seek to serve faithfully the Lord. 

Cry out to God when you have had enough, when you don’t think you can do it anymore, and the Lord will restore your weary soul. He will send an angel to touch you and tell you to eat and drink because the journey is too great for you.

May God keep you and bless you,
Tika

What I am Reading: 
Saints and Scoundrels: In the Story of Jesus.

Notable Quote: 

“People’s weariness comes from enduring their own burdens.” Pastor De’Andre Burgs

Just for fun:

I treated myself to a much-needed night out. I enjoyed dinner on the river and listened to a live jazz band.