Finding Hope and Strength in Life's Struggles

Summary

Today, we reflected on the reality that life is often difficult, unpredictable, and at times, deeply discouraging. Yet, in every season—whether on the mountaintop of victory or in the valley of despair—God calls us to trust Him and to build our lives on a foundation that cannot be shaken. Drawing from the story of Elijah, we saw how even the greatest men and women of faith can find themselves overwhelmed, afraid, and longing for escape. Elijah, after a dramatic victory on Mount Carmel, was soon running for his life, exhausted and despondent, wishing for death under a broom tree. This is a powerful reminder that spiritual highs do not exempt us from the lows of human experience.

We also considered the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health struggles, such as depression, within our community. The church must be a place of compassion, understanding, and practical support—not quick judgment or simplistic answers. Sometimes, the journey truly feels too long, and in those moments, God’s provision and presence are what sustain us. Just as God provided food and rest for Elijah, He meets us in our need, often in ways that are quiet and gentle rather than dramatic.

God’s question to Elijah, “What are you doing here?” was not one of condemnation, but of loving concern. God invited Elijah out of the darkness of the cave, not with thunder or fire, but with a still, small voice—a whisper of presence and reassurance. This is often how God meets us in our darkest moments: not with spectacle, but with the quiet certainty of His nearness. We are called to listen for that voice, to trust in His sufficiency, and to be present for others who are struggling.

Ultimately, our hope is not in the absence of storms, but in the unshakable foundation of God’s faithfulness. Whether we are facing financial uncertainty, relational pain, or the shadows of depression, we are not alone. God is with us, and His grace is sufficient. Our calling is to trust Him, to listen for His voice, and to walk alongside one another in love and understanding.

Key Takeaways

- A Firm Foundation in God Amid Life’s Storms
Life is unpredictable and often hard, but God calls us to build our lives on the unshakable foundation of faith in Him. When storms come—whether financial, relational, or spiritual—we are not promised an easy path, but we are promised that we will not be moved if we are rooted in Him. This foundation is not built on circumstances, but on trust in God’s character and promises. [48:17]

- Even the Faithful Experience Darkness and Despair
Elijah’s journey reminds us that even the most faithful can find themselves in places of fear, exhaustion, and even despair. Spiritual victories do not immunize us from emotional lows; in fact, sometimes the greatest battles come after the greatest triumphs. God does not condemn us for these moments, but meets us with compassion and provision. [57:51]

- God’s Provision is Often Quiet and Personal
When Elijah was at his lowest, God provided for him in simple, tangible ways—food, water, and rest. The miraculous is not always loud or spectacular; sometimes it is the quiet meeting of our needs in the wilderness. God knows the journey is long and hard, and He sustains us with what we need, when we need it, often in ways that remind us of His past faithfulness. [01:14:23]

- The Church Must Respond to Mental and Emotional Struggles with Compassion
Depression and mental distress are real and can affect anyone, even those who love God deeply. The church must move beyond simplistic or judgmental responses, offering presence, understanding, and encouragement to seek help when needed. Sometimes, the most Christlike thing we can do is simply to be present, to listen, and to walk with others through their valleys. [01:11:29]

- God Speaks Most Profoundly in the Stillness
God’s power is real, but His presence is often revealed not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the still, small voice. In our darkest moments, what we need most is not spectacle, but the assurance that God is with us, whispering hope and calling us out of the cave. Learning to listen for His voice in the quiet is the key to enduring faith and peace. [01:03:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Opening Prayer and Blessing
[02:10] - Foundations That Cannot Be Shaken
[05:30] - Life’s Hardships and False Promises
[08:15] - Introducing Mission for Haiti
[12:00] - The Importance of Teaching the Next Generation
[16:20] - Financial Wisdom for All Ages
[20:05] - Out of the Darkness: I Shall Not Be Afraid
[23:40] - Elijah’s Mount Carmel Victory
[28:55] - The Aftermath: Fear and Flight
[34:10] - Elijah’s Despair and God’s Provision
[41:00] - Depression, Darkness, and the Church’s Response
[48:17] - God’s Compassionate Question
[57:51] - Presence Over Power: The Still Small Voice
[01:03:31] - Trusting God in the Journey
[01:11:29] - Being Present for Others
[01:14:23] - God’s Faithfulness Through Every Season
[01:42:40] - Prayer and Ministry Time
[01:48:48] - Closing Blessing and Dismissal
[01:52:51] - Farewell and Thank You

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Out of the Darkness – I Shall Not Be Afraid

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### Bible Reading

1 Kings 19:1-18 (ESV)
Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
[Continue reading through verse 18.]

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### Observation Questions

1. What did Elijah do immediately after his victory on Mount Carmel, and what was his emotional state?
[[57:51]]

2. How did God provide for Elijah when he was at his lowest point under the broom tree?
[[01:14:23]]

3. When Elijah was in the cave, how did God choose to reveal Himself to Elijah?
[[01:03:31]]

4. What question did God ask Elijah in the cave, and what was Elijah’s response?
[[01:03:31]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Elijah, after such a dramatic spiritual victory, became so afraid and discouraged so quickly? What does this say about the nature of spiritual highs and lows?
[[57:51]]

2. What is significant about the way God provided for Elijah (food, water, rest) rather than immediately giving him a pep talk or a miracle?
[[01:14:23]]

3. God’s question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” was not one of condemnation but of concern. How does this shape our understanding of God’s character when we are in dark or difficult places?
[[01:03:31]]

4. The sermon mentioned that God was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the “still, small voice.” What might this teach us about how God often communicates with us, especially in times of distress?
[[01:03:31]]

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### Application Questions

1. Elijah’s story shows that even faithful believers can experience fear, exhaustion, and despair. Have you ever felt like Elijah—overwhelmed or wanting to give up after a high point in your life? What helped you in that season, or what do you wish someone had done for you?
[[57:51]]

2. The sermon emphasized that God’s provision is often quiet and personal, like food, water, and rest for Elijah. What are some “quiet provisions” God has given you recently that you may have overlooked? How can you become more aware of these in your daily life?
[[01:14:23]]

3. The church is called to respond to mental and emotional struggles with compassion, not judgment or simplistic answers. How can you personally be more present and supportive to someone in your life who may be struggling with depression or discouragement? What practical steps could you take this week?
[[01:11:29]]

4. God’s question to Elijah, “What are you doing here?” was an invitation to come out of the darkness. Is there an area in your life where you feel “stuck in a cave”? What would it look like for you to step out and listen for God’s gentle voice?
[[01:03:31]]

5. The sermon challenged us to build our lives on the unshakable foundation of God’s faithfulness, not on circumstances. What is one area of your life where you tend to rely on your own strength or circumstances instead of God? How can you begin to shift your trust to Him this week?
[[48:17]]

6. When someone you know is going through a dark or difficult time, do you tend to offer quick fixes or do you simply “be present” with them? Share a time when someone’s presence (not their advice) made a difference for you, or when you were able to do this for someone else.
[[01:11:29]]

7. The sermon mentioned that God’s voice is often a “still, small voice.” What are some distractions or “loud noises” in your life that make it hard to hear God? What is one practical way you can create space for quiet and listening this week?
[[01:03:31]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person trust Him in every season, to listen for His voice, and to be a source of compassion and presence for others.

Devotional

Day 1: Building Your Life on an Unshakable Foundation
God calls us to build our lives on a foundation that cannot be shaken, no matter what storms or challenges come our way. When we trust in Him and root ourselves in His truth, we become like trees planted by streams of water—steadfast, nourished, and unmoved by the shifting circumstances of life. Even when the world around us feels unstable or uncertain, our faith in God’s enduring promises gives us the strength to stand firm. [07:40]

Psalm 11:3-4 (ESV)
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

Reflection:
What is one area of your life that feels unstable or uncertain right now? How can you intentionally root that area in God’s truth and promises today?


Day 2: Choosing Whom You Will Serve
We are often confronted with choices that reveal where our true allegiance lies. Elijah’s challenge to the people on Mount Carmel—“How long will you falter between two opinions?”—reminds us that we cannot serve both God and the idols of our culture, whether they be money, success, or anything else that takes God’s rightful place. God desires our wholehearted devotion, calling us to turn away from false gods and follow Him alone, even when it means standing against the crowd. [57:51]

1 Kings 18:21 (ESV)
And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

Reflection:
Is there something in your life that competes with God for your trust or devotion? What practical step can you take today to put God first?


Day 3: God’s Presence in the Darkness
Even the strongest believers can find themselves in dark places—overwhelmed, discouraged, or feeling alone. Elijah, after his great victory, fled in fear and despair, yet God met him in his darkness with gentle care, not condemnation. God’s presence is not always found in dramatic displays of power, but often in the quiet, still moments—a whisper that reminds us we are not alone and that He is with us, even in our caves of despair. [01:03:31]

1 Kings 19:11-13 (ESV)
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Reflection:
When have you experienced God’s presence in a quiet or unexpected way? How can you make space today to listen for His still, small voice?


Day 4: God’s Faithfulness to Provide
In moments of exhaustion, fear, or lack, God demonstrates His faithfulness by providing exactly what we need—sometimes in miraculous ways, sometimes through the ordinary. Just as God sent an angel to care for Elijah with food and water for the journey, He reminds us that He sees our needs and will sustain us, even when the road ahead feels too long or too hard. Our part is to trust Him, remembering how He has provided in the past and believing He will do it again. [01:14:23]

1 Kings 19:5-8 (ESV)
And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

Reflection:
Recall a time when God provided for you in a way you didn’t expect. How can you trust Him with a current need or worry today?


Day 5: Walking With Others Through Darkness
God calls us not only to trust Him in our own struggles, but also to walk alongside others in theirs. When someone is in a dark place—whether due to depression, grief, or hardship—our role is not to judge or offer quick fixes, but to be present, to listen, and to show the compassion of Christ. Just as God gently questioned Elijah and offered His presence, we are invited to be a source of hope and support for those around us, reflecting God’s love in practical ways. [01:36:00]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Reflection:
Who in your life might be going through a difficult season? How can you reach out to them today with encouragement, presence, or practical help?

Quotes

You know, Psalm 11 says this, it says, if the foundations are destroyed, what shall the righteous do? In other words, we have a foundation, we have a foundation of faith, we have a foundation that is established in God. Jesus said, the man who builds his house upon a rock, though the storms come, though the waters rise, though the winds blow, said it shall not be moved. You see, that's what God wants of you today. He wants you to be planted firmly, that you will not be moved. [00:46:43] (29 seconds)  #FirmFaithUnshaken Edit Clip

As you go through life, things are not always going to be easy. How many of you know that? Life is not easy. And don't buy what the televangelists tell you. You know, if you send some money, if you do everything, all it's going to be nice and rosy in your life. Life is hard. How many of you agree with that with me? I mean, you have gone through some stuff as well. Amen. But you see, the thing is, God wants you to be planted on a foundation that will not be shaken. When the storms come, when the waters rise, when the winds blow, you're planted on a foundation that shall not be moved. [00:47:15] (30 seconds)  #RealityOfLifeFaith Edit Clip

But the truth is, sometimes as we go through, the journey always seems longer when you're in it. See, when you look back, it may seem like it went by very quickly, but when you're making the journey, that's when it seems like it's taking forever. That's when the kids start shouting, Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? See, it looks like longer than it really is. [01:05:01] (23 seconds)  #JourneyFeelsLong Edit Clip

Sometimes all you need to do is get some rest. And that night's all your good night's rest will fix a lot of things. Some of you know that. But the problem is sometimes you go through some situation where you can't even rest. So what do we do then? Well, we talk about that in a little while, but the truth is he lies down on the tree and he takes a rest. And the scripture tells us that during his nap or his daytime siesta, if you want to call it that, an angel comes and wakes him up, taps him on his shoulder and arrives. And as he gets up, he looks and right at his head, there's a cake baked on the coals and there's a jar of water. What does that tell me? Tell me, first of all, that God will provide. Amen. That God will provide. He'll provide for us. No matter how hopeless it seems, it's important because God has a way of reminding us that he will provide for us. [01:12:54] (51 seconds)  #RestInGodsProvision Edit Clip

But as elijah is going now where does he find himself he finds himself on a cave on the mountain of horeb a cave represents a dark place have you ever been in a cave before cave is a dark place you don't have electric lights inside caves it's a dark place and we find elijah is finding himself in the darkness and i want to say this is the theme of the sermon this morning that elijah is in a dark place in his life and every single one of us at some point or the other we will go through a dark place in our lives but we need to understand who god is in those moments we need to know and be able to say i'm going to trust you here today [01:17:32] (41 seconds)  #TrustInDarkness Edit Clip

I've seen christian people good christian people who love jesus and who love the lord go through periods of depression as well it happens it is a mental condition it is a mental state that people might find themselves in i don't know if i'm speaking to anybody here today i don't know if i'm speaking to anybody who's online as well but it's something that sometimes people face and has to be dealt with amen we need to know and understand [01:18:59] (26 seconds)  #MentalHealthInFaith Edit Clip

So what happens when elijah finds himself in this cave in this dark place well god meets him god meets him and he asks a simple question what are you doing here elijah what are you doing here what are you doing in this place you're not supposed to be here this is not where i sent you this is not where i put you you should be up there dealing with the force of evil and ahab's under ahab's reign but what are you doing here because elijah had come to this cave and the scripture says he lodged in it in other words he was staying in this dark place and again when i think about it in a metaphorical sense sometimes when we find ourselves in those dark places we want to curl up like a ball and we just want to stay because there's a sense of comfort in that dark place but it's not the place that god wants you to be god don't want you to be in that dark place he wants you to be in the light he's a god of light he's come to bring light to us [01:24:48] (57 seconds)  #GodCallsFromDarkness Edit Clip

You see sometimes when people go through stuff in their lives they don't always say the right thing they don't always quote the right scriptures we don't have to stand in judgment of them we have to stand in a place where we can understand what they're going through understand because that might be you that might be you because we all go through these these moments in our lives but god did not point out that little discrepancy even though you're saying i'm the only one left god didn't say no no elijah you don't know what you're talking about there are 100 prophets hidden out by obadiah they have not part of their knees god does not point at our why because sometimes we don't always have to point things out to people we don't always have to point in people's face and say you're doing something wrong we have to stand with them and understand what they're going through especially who people especially people were facing some of the things that elijah was facing in that moment [01:28:17] (60 seconds)  #GraceInDespair Edit Clip

So that close this morning i want to say the key is right there in that passage listening to the still small voice of god listening to the still small voice of god you know i think it was habakkuk who said at one time that the fig tree doesn't blossom that the lambs um don't produce and so on all these things don't happen he says yet i will rejoice in my god and my savior that's what knowing god is all about amen that's what we need to come to that place in our christian life where we're not looking for all the fanfare and all the big things to happen but to understand in every moment of our lives every single day and he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me i am his own that's what we need to do and i don't know if you're there yet and i don't know if your faith has got to that point but that's where god wants to bring you this morning he wants to bring you out of that dark place to say i am listening i know what you're going to i know that you're facing what you're facing right now because that's what i really want [01:39:56] (64 seconds)  #RejoiceInFaith Edit Clip

That these people get to know who you are that is my prayer this morning that we will get to know who this god is that no matter what that place that we find ourselves in no matter where we find ourselves god is with us and he will see us through yes the healings will come yes the miracles will come yes the provision will come may not come right away but it will come all you've got to do is trust him proverbs says trust in the lord with all your heart lean not to your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path [01:41:11] (34 seconds)  #KnowingGodThroughDarkness Edit Clip