Sundays with Kristi - "I Feel All Alone"

Have you ever felt like you are all alone?

As we have finished our study over the Fruit of the Spirit (which you can go back and review by clicking on the Sunday tab above), I was thinking about doing another multi-week study. However, this week, as I was doing my devotionals, I really felt impressed to expound on one of them as it’s an issue that is a struggle for me and probably many others as well.

I’ve been going through 1 Kings reading a chapter a day. This book contains a lot of history, but toward the end of the book, it tells the story of the great prophet Elijah. In some ways, I really feel like I can relate to Elijah. He had some great moments of amazing faith and a profound witness for God. He also had a big struggle that plagues many of us as well.

Elijah’s Triumphs
If you have the time, I encourage you to read through 1 Kings 17 and 18. These chapters detail some of the amazing triumphs God provided through Elijah. By God’s power, Elijah controlled the weather. He enjoyed an endless supply of food that miraculously refilled every day. He brought a young man back to life, and in an amazing showdown, he went against 450 false prophets and called down fire from heaven as God proved He was the one and only God.

Elijah had experienced some amazing things and he had been party to God’s miraculous works. Elijah knew first-hand the power of God. He relied on it for everything he did. But even though Elijah didn’t seem to struggle with trusting in God, Elijah wasn’t without struggles.

“I’m all alone”
Often, the life of a prophet was a lonely one, but especially during this time in Israel’s history. The leaders of the country had turned away from God and were leading people down a path of idol worship. The prophets were often alone and ostracized. Elijah seemed to feel this more deeply and he struggled with depression and feeling that he was all alone.

Right after the amazing triumphs of 1 Kings 17 and 18, chapter 19 opens with the bold, daring, outspoken, usually confident Elijah running for his life in fear and cowering in a cave hosting his very own pity party.

God comes and finds Elijah. God comes in and crashes Elijah’s pity party and, almost like a mother with hands on hips, asks Elijah very pointedly, “What are you doing here?” (1 Kings 19:13)

Elijah has thought about his situation and tells God very honestly exactly how he feels. 1 Kings 19:14 tells his answer, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the god of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

I’m all alone! I’m the only one left! And, I’m under attack and soon even I won’t be left. Elijah has a logical explanation for why he’s cowering in a cave. How many times I’ve gone to God in the midst of my own pity parties and told God some or all of the following, “I feel all alone. No one wants to hear me. I’m the only one who is trying to serve You. I’m the only one listening to You. And yet, I’m the one suffering for it. It’s not fair. I don’t like it. I don’t know what to do and I just want You to take me out of this situation.”

I think most people get to this place at some point. It is one of Satan’s favorite lies. I can almost picture him whispering in my ear, “Yep, you’re all by yourself. No one else is going through this. No one else cares.” Granted, Satan has several lies he tells people, but this one seems to be one of his favorite to use with me.

So what do we do when we’re experiencing this? What do we do when we feel all alone? What did God tell Elijah to do?

Get Specific and Get a Reality Check
The next few verses there in 1 Kings I find extremely helpful. Verses 15-18 of 1 Kings 19 tell God’s response to Elijah. They can be summed up in a two part plan. Get specific and get a reality check.

First, God give Elijah extremely specific instructions of what to do next. There was no guessing, there was no chance for Elijah to misunderstand. He left that knowing exactly what he needed to do next. For me, I try to get back to the very basics. What exactly do I know I need to be doing? Then start doing it! I don’t need to try to make complicated plans at this point; I just need to do the small things that I know I should be doing.

Second, Elijah needed a reality check. Elijah FELT alone,but that doesn’t mean he was ACTUALLY alone. In fact, God goes so far as to tell him that there are over 7,000 other people who were still following God. Our perspective is typically only a small view. We need to widen our gaze and realize that we rarely actually see the whole picture of any situation. Even if we are the only person following God, we always have God, so we are never alone. When we feel this way, we need to get a reality check to remind us that no matter how alone we feel, we are never ACTUALLY alone.

So do you feel alone today? Are you tired out, worn out, and exhausted thinking that you’re carrying the load all by yourself? Remember, get back to the basics and do only the things that you know you are called to do. Second, remember, your perspective is rarely complete and you never know how many others are with you, not to mention God is always with you. We are NEVER ALONE!

Father, You love me. You have a plan for me, and even when I get downtrodden, You don’t leave me there, You come and find me. You want me. You don’t leave me alone. I am so grateful. Forgive me for ever doubting that You know what is best for me. Help me to see all that You want me to do and help me stay focused on doing the tasks that You have for me. I love You, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

RESPONSE:Anyone else out there felt this way? How do you get back on track?

May you live out His Word today!Kristi BurchfielCheck out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
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