Finding God in Our Brokenness and Valleys

Devotional

Day 1: God's Transformative Work Through Us

When we invest in new ministries, we become part of God's transformative work in people's lives. The story of Freedom Church's unexpected baptisms is a powerful reminder of how God works through our generosity and support. This encourages us to continue supporting church planting and other ministries that lift up Jesus. By partnering with others, we extend our reach and impact, allowing God to work through us in ways we might not have imagined.

Our contributions, whether financial, prayerful, or through active participation, play a crucial role in the growth and success of new ministries. When we see the fruits of these efforts, like the 21 unexpected baptisms at Freedom Church, it serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of collective effort. Let this inspire us to remain committed to supporting and nurturing new ministries, knowing that our efforts are part of a larger divine plan. [31:16]

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."

Reflection: Think of a ministry or church plant you can support this week. How can you contribute to their growth, whether through prayer, financial support, or volunteering your time?

Day 2: Anchoring Our Identity in Christ

Like Olympian Michael Phelps, we can experience emotional crashes after significant achievements. These moments reveal the fragility of tying our identity to our successes. Instead, we should anchor our identity in Christ, who provides lasting fulfillment beyond our accomplishments. When we place our worth in our achievements, we set ourselves up for disappointment and emotional turmoil when those achievements fade or fail to satisfy.

By anchoring our identity in Christ, we find a stable and unchanging source of worth and purpose. Christ's love and acceptance are not based on our performance but on His grace. This shift in perspective allows us to navigate the highs and lows of life with a sense of peace and security, knowing that our true value is found in our relationship with Him. [35:07]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent achievement or failure. How can you shift your focus from finding your identity in that event to finding it in Christ?

Day 3: God's Compassion in Our Brokenness

Elijah's story shows that God meets us in our lowest moments with tenderness and care. When Elijah fled to the wilderness, God provided rest, food, and a gentle whisper of reassurance. This teaches us that God is compassionate and meets us in our mess, not with condemnation but with love. In our moments of despair and brokenness, God does not abandon us but draws near to provide comfort and healing.

God's response to Elijah's despair is a powerful reminder that He understands our struggles and is present with us in our pain. He offers us what we need to recover and regain our strength, whether it's physical rest, emotional support, or spiritual encouragement. This compassionate care is a testament to God's loving nature and His desire to see us restored and whole. [38:21]

Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt broken or overwhelmed. How did you experience God's compassion and care during that time? How can you seek His comfort in your current struggles?

Day 4: The Importance of Rest and Self-Care

Elijah's experience highlights the importance of rest and self-care. God provided Elijah with physical rest and nourishment before addressing his spiritual and emotional needs. This reminds us that taking care of our physical well-being is crucial for our overall health and spiritual vitality. When we neglect our need for rest and self-care, we become more vulnerable to emotional and spiritual burnout.

By prioritizing rest and self-care, we create space for God to renew and restore us. This holistic approach to well-being acknowledges that our physical, emotional, and spiritual health are interconnected. Taking time to rest, eat well, and care for our bodies allows us to better serve God and others with energy and clarity. [55:39]

Mark 6:31 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need more rest or self-care. What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize your well-being?

Day 5: Listening for God's Gentle Whisper

In Elijah's darkest moment, God spoke to him in a gentle whisper, reminding him of His presence and care. This teaches us that God often speaks to us in quiet, intimate ways, especially when we are in our valleys. We need to be still and listen for His voice, trusting that He is with us and will guide us through our struggles. In the noise and busyness of life, it can be challenging to hear God's gentle whisper, but it is in these quiet moments that we often find the most profound reassurance and direction.

God's gentle whisper is a reminder that He is always near, even when we feel alone or overwhelmed. By cultivating a practice of stillness and attentive listening, we open ourselves to experiencing His presence and guidance in deeper ways. This practice can bring peace and clarity, helping us navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life with a sense of divine companionship. [20:39]

1 Kings 19:12 (ESV): "And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."

Reflection: Set aside a few minutes each day this week to sit in silence and listen for God's gentle whisper. What do you sense He is saying to you in these moments of stillness?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Eagles View Church. Today, I want to share a powerful story about the highs and lows we experience in life and how God meets us in our brokenness. Last Sunday, I received a text from Pastor Chris Benitez of Freedom Church, a new church we are partnering with. He shared an incredible story of how 21 people were baptized unexpectedly, a testament to God's work through our support. This story reminds us of the importance of church planting and supporting new ministries.

I also want to talk about the emotional highs and lows we face, using the example of Olympian Michael Phelps and his struggles with identity and mental health after his Olympic victories. This ties into our series, "Brokenness to Breakthrough," where we explore how even the most successful people can experience deep valleys after mountaintop moments.

We then turn to the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. Elijah had just experienced a significant victory on Mount Carmel, where he defeated the prophets of Baal. Yet, immediately after, he found himself in a deep emotional and spiritual valley, fleeing for his life from Jezebel. Elijah's story is a powerful reminder that even the most faithful servants of God can experience profound lows.

Elijah's journey took him to the wilderness, where he felt utterly defeated and even wished for death. But God met him in his brokenness, providing rest, food, and a gentle whisper of reassurance. This story teaches us that God is tender and meets us in our mess, not with condemnation but with compassion and care.

We are all susceptible to emotional and spiritual crashes, especially after significant victories or high points. It's crucial to recognize these moments and allow God to minister to us. Our church is committed to being a place of healing and support, where people can find hope and help in their darkest times.

###

Key Takeaways

1. care. God provided Elijah with physical rest and nourishment before addressing his spiritual and emotional needs. This reminds us that taking care of our physical well-being is crucial for our overall health and spiritual vitality. [55:39]
5. God's Gentle Whisper: In Elijah's darkest moment, God spoke to him in a gentle whisper, reminding him of His presence and care. This teaches us that God often speaks to us in quiet, intimate ways, especially when we are in our valleys. We need to be still and listen for His voice, trusting that He is with us and will guide us through our struggles.

### [55:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:20] - Introduction to Freedom Church
[31:16] - Unexpected Baptisms
[32:03] - Importance of Church Planting
[32:50] - Emotional Highs and Lows
[33:24] - Michael Phelps' Story
[35:07] - The Weight of Gold Documentary
[36:09] - Elijah's Mountaintop Experience
[37:28] - Elijah's Emotional Crash
[38:21] - God's Tenderness in Our Brokenness
[39:15] - The Reality of Emotional Valleys
[40:04] - Mount Carmel Showdown
[41:52] - Context of Baal Worship
[43:13] - Elijah's Boldness
[44:54] - Elijah's Victory and Emotional Collapse
[47:16] - Relating to Elijah's Experience
[50:33] - Vulnerability After Mountaintop Experiences
[52:03] - Making Bad Decisions in the Valley
[55:39] - Importance of Rest and Self-Care
[58:18] - Elijah's Wilderness Experience
[60:49] - Elijah's Depression
[63:09] - False Expectations and Discouragement
[66:31] - From Brokenness to Breakthrough
[67:11] - The Power of Lament
[69:26] - Hope Ministry and Support
[72:00] - God's Response to Elijah
[74:16] - God's Tender Care
[77:00] - Meeting God in the Wilderness
[80:01] - God's Gentle Whisper
[84:04] - A New Era of Ministry
[85:17] - Using Our Pain for Ministry
[87:04] - Encouragement to Persevere
[88:06] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What significant event did Elijah experience on Mount Carmel before his emotional crash? ([40:58])
How did God provide for Elijah when he fled to the wilderness? ([58:18])
What was Elijah's emotional state when he sat under the broom tree and prayed? ([58:51])
How did God communicate with Elijah in the cave? ([01:20:39])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Elijah experienced such a profound emotional crash after his victory on Mount Carmel? ([47:56])
How does Elijah's story illustrate the importance of rest and self-care in our spiritual and emotional well-being? ([55:39])
What does God's gentle whisper to Elijah teach us about how God often communicates with us in our lowest moments? ([01:20:39])
How can Elijah's feelings of failure and discouragement after his expectations were unmet relate to our own experiences of disappointment? ([01:02:17])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced an emotional high followed by a significant low. How did you cope with that transition? ([49:06])
Elijah felt alone and isolated in his struggle. How can you ensure you have a support system in place for when you face emotional or spiritual valleys? ([57:46])
God provided Elijah with physical rest and nourishment before addressing his spiritual needs. What practical steps can you take to prioritize your physical well-being? ([55:39])
Elijah heard God's gentle whisper in a moment of despair. How can you create space in your life to listen for God's voice, especially during difficult times? ([01:20:39])
Elijah's expectations of a dramatic change were unmet, leading to his discouragement. How can you manage your expectations in your spiritual journey to avoid similar feelings of failure? ([01:02:17])
The sermon mentioned the importance of lamenting and being honest with God about our feelings. How can you incorporate lament into your prayer life to foster a deeper relationship with God? ([01:07:11])
The church aims to be a place of healing and support. How can you contribute to making your church a welcoming and supportive environment for those going through tough times? ([01:10:05])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "I celebrate this fact that over 100 people this year at EVC have followed Jesus in Believer's Baptism. And I praise the Lord for that. Not because of a number, but because that's so many of you that have decided to boldly take that first step of what it means to follow Jesus. As we're talking about that this year, much of what it looks like in discipleship." [32:03] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We believe in holistic health there. It kind of affects everything. But I was just lost. I thought there's something wrong with me. And I would just be in this low Monday morning and we would have staff meeting on Monday mornings. Not a good idea. Because I would come in and I would be in not a good place many times. And I've learned. I learned that I needed a new rhythm and so we pushed our staff meeting to Tuesday." [38:21] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I just want you to know that the beginning of a spiritual breakthrough. And I talked about it last week. Happens when we. We begin to learn what it means to lament. And we get honest with God. Remember last week we talked about what lamenting is not. It's not complaining about God. It's complaining to God. It's not being fake. And trying to act like everything's okay. When it's not. It's being real." [01:07:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I want you to know that Jesus wants us to be a church like this. To love people through their things they're battling with. He's run away. He's quitting ministry. He's falling apart emotionally. He's having this mental meltdown at this point. And when you see this happen. The question I have to ask is. Well how is God going to respond? Is God going to tell him. Dude. Pull it together. What is wrong with you man? Be a man. Buck up." [01:12:00] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I want you to see that Elijah does this. And Moses does this. I'm going to show you that David does. And Hannah does. And so many others. Jeremiah does this. He wrote a book called Lamentations. I just want you to see that it's in here. And if you are feeling like that. You're not alone. You're not alone. Because you'll see that Elijah felt alone. And you probably feel like that. Because you can come into a church. You can walk in. And you can see people smiling." [01:07:39] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "I share this all the time. We're not trying to be a big church. That's not our mission. We are growing. And I thank the Lord for that. But we want to be a healthy church. And we want you to be healthy. And we want you to be following Jesus. And so it's our hope to come alongside you and walk with you in that. So if you need to be baptized or if you have questions about that, one of our pastors would be glad to help you." [32:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I want you to see that Elijah does this. And Moses does this. I'm going to show you that David does. And Hannah does. And so many others. Jeremiah does this. He wrote a book called Lamentations. I just want you to see that it's in here. And if you are feeling like that. You're not alone. You're not alone. Because you'll see that Elijah felt alone. And you probably feel like that. Because you can come into a church. You can walk in. And you can see people smiling." [01:07:39] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I want you to know that Jesus wants us to be a church like this. To love people through their things they're battling with. He's run away. He's quitting ministry. He's falling apart emotionally. He's having this mental meltdown at this point. And when you see this happen. The question I have to ask is. Well how is God going to respond? Is God going to tell him. Dude. Pull it together. What is wrong with you man? Be a man. Buck up." [01:12:00] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I just want you to know that the beginning of a spiritual breakthrough. And I talked about it last week. Happens when we. We begin to learn what it means to lament. And we get honest with God. Remember last week we talked about what lamenting is not. It's not complaining about God. It's complaining to God. It's not being fake. And trying to act like everything's okay. When it's not. It's being real." [01:07:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We believe in holistic health there. It kind of affects everything. But I was just lost. I thought there's something wrong with me. And I would just be in this low Monday morning and we would have staff meeting on Monday mornings. Not a good idea. Because I would come in and I would be in not a good place many times. And I've learned. I learned that I needed a new rhythm and so we pushed our staff meeting to Tuesday." [38:21] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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