Finding Hope in Life's Transitions and Struggles

Devotional

Day 1: God Meets Us in Our Struggles, Not Abandoning Us

No matter how deep our depression or anxiety, God’s presence is steadfast and unwavering. Even when we feel overwhelmed by life’s storms, God draws near—not with condemnation, but with compassion and understanding. He meets us in our lowest moments, just as He did with Elijah, and gently reminds us that we are not alone or forsaken. In the midst of chaos, God’s whisper is closer than the noise, offering hope, clarity, and strength to carry on. [27:16]

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. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed by life’s storms, can you pause and listen for God’s gentle whisper of presence and comfort today?

Day 2: Rest and Care for Your Body Are Spiritual Practices

God cares deeply about our physical well-being, recognizing that exhaustion and neglect can fuel anxiety and depression. He provided Elijah with food and rest, showing that tending to our bodies is not just practical but spiritual. Sometimes, the most faithful thing you can do is to rest, eat well, and allow your body to recover, trusting that God designed you as a whole person—body and soul. [10:17]

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: What is one practical way you can honor God by caring for your body with rest or nourishment this week?

Day 3: Replace the Lies with God’s Truth

Our thoughts and feelings are real, but not all of them are true. Like Elijah, we can fall into distorted thinking—believing we are alone, hopeless, or beyond help. God invites us to bring our negative thought patterns into the light, to question them, and to replace them with His truth. The truth sets us free, grounding us in God’s reality rather than the lies that anxiety and depression whisper. [22:01]

John 8:31-32 (ESV)
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Reflection: What is one negative thought you’ve been believing about yourself or your situation, and how can you replace it with God’s truth today?

Day 4: Remember God’s Faithfulness in Every Season

It is easy to forget God’s past faithfulness when we are in the midst of struggle, but Scripture calls us to remember. God repeatedly told His people to recall what He had done, because remembering fuels hope and trust for the future. Even when life feels like a series of ups and downs, God is present in every moment, inviting us to see each season as an opportunity to learn and grow with Him. [15:16]

Psalm 39:4-5 (ESV)
“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!”

Reflection: Take a moment to recall a specific time when God was faithful to you in the past. How does remembering this encourage you in your current season?

Day 5: You Are Not Alone—Reach Out and Respond

God’s prescription for our struggles includes community and honest conversation. We are not meant to carry our burdens alone; God calls us to reach out—to Him, to our loved ones, to trusted friends, and to wise counselors. Vulnerability is not weakness but a step toward healing, and God often works through the people He places in our lives. Don’t let shame or pride keep you isolated; take the courageous step to talk and let others walk with you. [31:36]

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

Reflection: Who is one person you can reach out to today—whether God, a loved one, a friend, or a counselor—to honestly share your struggles and invite support?

Sermon Summary

Transitions in life can be both frightening and holy, offering us the chance to renew our vision, deepen relationships, and prepare for revival. In the midst of such seasons, it’s easy to hide behind the mask of “I’m fine,” even when we’re struggling with depression and anxiety. My own journey through these challenges began after a traumatic accident, compounded by life’s natural stresses—family, work, health issues, and the relentless pace of ministry. For a long time, I tried to attribute my struggles to a single event, but wise counsel helped me see that negative thought patterns had been with me since childhood. Accepting this reality was not a sign of defeat, but the beginning of healing—recognizing that God had not abandoned me, and that I could trust Him with my pain.

Depression can feel like being caught in a stampede—overwhelming, unpredictable, and suffocating. Anxiety, whether acute or chronic, can make life feel like a never-ending barrage of threats and worries. Yet, throughout Scripture, God’s people have faced these same struggles. Elijah, after his mountaintop victory, found himself exhausted, isolated, stuck in the moment, and forgetting God’s past faithfulness. These are the very ingredients that can lead any of us into depression and anxiety.

But God’s response to Elijah—and to us—is gentle and practical. He provides for our physical needs, urging us to rest and eat, reminding us that our bodies and souls are intertwined. He invites us to replace lies with truth, to voice our distorted thoughts and let His truth set us free. God’s presence is not found in the chaos, but in the gentle whisper that assures us we are not alone. He does not shame us for our struggles, but recommissions us, reminding us that our story is not over. Even Jesus, in His darkest hour, was not abandoned by the Father. The worst things may happen to us, but because of Christ, the best thing—God’s abiding presence—remains.

If you are struggling, don’t keep it hidden. Talk to God, your spouse or significant other, your doctor, and a trusted friend. Healing begins when we bring our pain into the light, trusting that God will meet us there, whispering hope and purpose into our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Transitions Are Both Scary and Sacred Life’s transitions can unsettle us, but they also create space for God to renew our vision and relationships. Instead of only fearing the unknown, we can look for the sacred opportunities God is providing in these seasons. Embracing both the fear and the holiness of transition allows us to prepare for the revival God wants to bring. [01:30]
2. The Danger of Hiding Behind “I’m Fine” We often mask our struggles with a simple “I’m fine,” even when we’re hurting deeply. True healing begins when we are honest about our pain, both with ourselves and with others. We cannot minister to the world’s brokenness if we refuse to address our own; vulnerability is the doorway to transformation. [04:00]
3. God’s People Have Always Struggled—And God Meets Us There Scripture is filled with examples of faithful people, like Elijah, who faced depression and anxiety. Their stories remind us that these struggles do not disqualify us from God’s love or purpose. God meets us in our lowest moments, not to shame us, but to gently restore and recommission us for His work. [17:00]
4. Replace Lies with Truth and Care for Your Whole Self Negative thought patterns and distorted beliefs can trap us in cycles of despair. God invites us to voice these lies, examine them, and replace them with His truth. At the same time, He cares for our physical needs—rest and nourishment are spiritual practices that honor the bodies He created. [22:01]
5. God’s Presence Is Found in the Whisper, Not the Chaos When life feels like it’s falling apart—when the wind, earthquake, and fire rage—God is not absent. He is closer than we realize, speaking in a gentle whisper that can only be heard when we quiet ourselves before Him. No matter how broken or exhausted we feel, God is not finished with us; He calls us forward with hope and purpose.

** [27:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Navigating Scary and Sacred Transitions
[03:10] - Pastor Appreciation and Ministry Leaders
[04:00] - The “I’m Fine” Mask and Hidden Struggles
[06:44] - My Journey Through Depression and Anxiety
[10:17] - Defining Depression and Anxiety
[12:30] - The Stampede: Living with Depression
[13:50] - Acute vs. Chronic Anxiety
[15:16] - Elijah’s Story: Exhaustion, Isolation, and Forgetting
[17:00] - How We Get Stuck: Mountaintops and Valleys
[19:30] - God’s Prescription: Rest and Nourishment
[22:01] - Replacing Lies with Truth
[24:16] - Distorted Thought Patterns and God’s Response
[27:16] - God’s Gentle Whisper and Recommissioning
[28:43] - God Is Not Finished With You
[31:36] - Responding: Steps Toward Healing and Community

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Kings 19:1-18 — (The story of Elijah’s exhaustion, depression, and God’s gentle response)

Observation Questions

In 1 Kings 19, what are the first things God does for Elijah after he runs away and says he wants to die?
According to the sermon, what are some of the ways Elijah’s experience mirrors the feelings of depression and anxiety? [[15:16]]
What are some of the lies or distorted thoughts Elijah voices to God in the cave? [[22:01]]
How does God’s presence show up for Elijah—not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper? [[27:16]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God’s first response to Elijah’s depression is to provide food and rest, instead of a lecture or a miracle? What does this say about how God views our physical and emotional needs? [[19:30]]
The sermon mentions that Elijah believed he was “the only one left.” How can believing lies or half-truths about ourselves or our situation make depression or anxiety worse? [[22:01]]
The speaker said, “God meets us where we are, as we are, and he transforms us.” What does it mean for God to meet us in our lowest moments, and how is that different from shaming or abandoning us? [[17:00]]
Why do you think God speaks in a gentle whisper instead of something loud and dramatic? What does this teach us about how God communicates in our hardest times? [[27:16]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about how easy it is to hide behind “I’m fine” even when we’re not. When was the last time you said “I’m fine” but were actually struggling? What kept you from being honest? [[04:00]]
The speaker shared that healing began when he accepted his struggles and brought them into the light. Is there a struggle you’ve been hiding that you need to talk about—with God, a friend, or a loved one? What’s one step you could take this week? [[31:36]]
God’s first prescription for Elijah was to rest and eat. Are you caring for your body in ways that honor God? What is one practical change you could make this week to rest or nourish yourself better? [[19:30]]
The sermon described negative thought patterns and lies we believe. What is one lie or distorted thought you tend to believe about yourself or your situation? How could you replace it with God’s truth? [[22:01]]
The story of Elijah shows that even faithful people can feel exhausted, isolated, or stuck. When you feel this way, what helps you remember God’s faithfulness in the past? Is there a practice (like journaling, prayer, or talking with a friend) that helps you remember? [[15:16]]
God’s presence was found in the gentle whisper, not the chaos. What are some ways you can quiet yourself to listen for God’s whisper this week? [[27:16]]
The speaker encouraged everyone struggling to talk to God, a spouse or significant other, a doctor, and a trusted friend. Which of these conversations feels hardest for you? What would help you take that step? [[31:36]]

Sermon Clips

We can't deal with the hard stuff out there if we don't deal with the hard stuff in here. So let me share with you a little bit about my journey through depression and anxiety. [00:03:21]

But then I realized, no, this is the hand that has been dealt me. This is what God has given me, all right? He's not abandoned me yet. And so I'm going to trust him in this. [00:07:33]

All those things that I've been preaching that what's on the outside affects what's on the inside, what's on the inside comes out on the outside. All that stuff I've been preaching for years, I had to deal with that as well. It's actually true, right? [00:08:49]

All of us deal with stress, and we deal with it in different ways, but our stress comes from our environment, where we're at, right? Some of you work in great environments. Some of you work in stressful environments. [00:09:11]

Remember Lion King with the wildebeest and all of that? I didn't start it. I don't know where it came from, but I'm in the middle of it and I got to ride it out. And sometimes it's oppressive. Sometimes I don't know how long it's going to be. Sometimes I can't see the sun because of all the dust that's going on. But I know that I have to recognize that that's where I'm at in this moment. I'm in the middle of a buffalo stampede. [00:10:42]

God provides his presence and will not abandon us when we need him, right? What I want to do today is I want to point out to you that God's people have always struggled with things like depression and anxiety. [00:12:37]

You are not alone in your struggle. You are not broken because of your struggle. You're not irreparably broken because of it. God meets us where we are, as we are, and he transforms us into the men...and women that he desires us to be if we will trust him, if we will lean into him even during these hard times. [00:13:09]

All work and no play make Jack depressed and anxious, all right? That's what happens. All work and no rest make Jack depressed and anxious. And Elijah had exhausted himself and he was depressed and anxious. Take my life. I've got nothing else. I'm tapped out, Lord. I'm exhausted. [00:15:41]

Life isn't made of up and down moments. Life is made of all kinds of moments, and we have to lean into God. [00:19:08]

If we forget what God has already done, that's a great recipe for depression and anxiety, right? So we've talked about how you can get there, right? We're going to talk about how to get out of that, right? How to get away from there. [00:19:42]

One of the most spiritual things you can do sometimes is take a nap, all right? So I am blessing you to take a nap this week, right? The scriptures are saying it is okay for you to take a nap if you need to. Rest when you need to. [00:20:31]

God's prescription for our depression and anxiety is to replace the lies with truth. Jesus says the truth will set you free. And all of our thoughts and feelings are real, but not all of them are true. [00:22:18]

What you think determines what you believe, and that determines what you do, right? Our thoughts and our feelings and our beliefs, they influence our actions. [00:22:50]

God didn't reject him in that. He allowed Elijah to voice them, and sometimes we keep these distorted things inside, and we don't voice them to God or to anybody. And so I think it's good to kind of a spiritual practice to enter into and call out the distorted thought patterns, call out the lies, and replace it with the truth, because the truth shall set you free. [00:26:06]

Maybe the wind has blown you to and from. Maybe the busted rocks have sent you running for cover. Maybe there's been an earthquake that has rocked you completely, and maybe a fire has burned down every bit of hope, clarity, and strength that you have in your life. But God's not in any of those things. He's right there beside you, and he's so close that he can whisper and you can hear him, right? He's that close to us. [00:27:50]

God comes to us gently, and he comes in a way that we can receive him, especially after all the chaos that's going on in the world around us. [00:28:25]

Elijah wanted to lay down and die, and God says, no, I'm not done with you yet, right? This depression and anxiety is not removing you from ministry. You still have more ministry ministry to do. If you are breathing and you're above ground today...whatever life has done to you, your life's not over. There is hope. [00:29:20]

The very worst things happen to Jesus. The very worst things are going to happen to you. But the very best thing happens to us because of the very best person, because of Jesus Christ. Because he doesn't abandon us. He doesn't leave us. He grabs our hand and he walks us out of that grave. [00:30:52]

If you are dealing with depression and anxiety, if you're dealing with any of those kinds of thoughts or feelings, I want you to talk to four people, right? And the fourth one is I want you to talk to God about it, right? I want you to bring that before the Lord and bring it before Jesus, okay? Don't let the sun go down today without you at least acknowledging to God, to Jesus, I think I'm depressed. I think I'm dealing with some anxiety. Don't leave me. Help me work through this, all right? [00:32:23]

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