The Lonely Island Syndrome
Ever feel like you’re all alone? Like the world has passed on without your input or approval? Like any confidence that has defined your past has vanished into thin air?
Do you ever feel like you are trapped on a deserted island, emotionally separated and devoid of confidence? This is exactly where we find Elijah in 1 Kings 19.
Elijah has just come off of one of the craziest scenarios imaginable…he and God embarrassed and disproved 400 false prophets…and then killed all of them. One would think that he would be walking on cloud 9 with a ridiculous amount of swagger! But in chapter 19 we see Elijah’s confidence has done a 180, and he is now running from a girl, Queen Jezebel. Elijah’s response to her threats is a fear that drives him to leave the country, leave his counsel and beg for God to kill him. Ever feel that way? Like the world is out to get you, and there’s just no way to win? Yeah, me too.
But here’s the good news: Right in the midst of Elijah’s pity party, God tells him to go anoint new kings over two different countries and appoint himself a successor. These three men would go on to wipe out God’s enemies in the land. On top of that, God tells Elijah that there are 7,000 people in Israel who still worship Him! Just when Elijah loses hope and confidence, God reveals that He’s been in control the whole time.
Here’s what I have learned from this:
- God is the true source of our confidence. And he is totally worth putting our trust in!
- Our confidence is enhanced through community. I can’t hide in a closet by myself…life is a team sport!
- Fearing God eliminates the need to fear anything else. There’s no reason to back down or feel defeated…God is always in control!
In those moments where you feel inadequate, isolated and insecure…remember that God knows where you are, and you are not alone!
