Your Best Days Are Still Ahead

Even the strongest believers can find themselves overwhelmed, discouraged, and questioning how they ended up in such a dark place. Elijah’s journey in 1 Kings 19 reveals how God meets us in our lowest moments—and reminds us that our best days are not behind us, but ahead.

 

When life feels overwhelming, Elijah’s journey shows us how to hear God’s voice and find new joy.

Have you ever noticed how the enemy works? He doesn’t just chip away at one area of our lives—he goes for it all. Hope. Healing. Happiness. He wants to drain us physically, emotionally, and spiritually until the very idea of living a joyful, victorious life feels out of reach.

But the good news is God hasn’t left us defenseless. He’s placed powerful weapons in our hands to silence the enemy’s lies and reclaim everything he’s tried to steal. Your best days aren’t behind you; they’re ahead. All it takes is fixing your faith firmly on the Lord.

Just look at Elijah. In 1 Kings 19, we find this mighty prophet at one of his lowest points, battling deep discouragement to the point of despair. This is the same man who had prayed and stopped the rain for years, only to pray again and watch the heavens open. He multiplied a widow’s meager food supply, raised her son from the dead, and called down fire from Heaven … defeating the prophets of Baal.

Victory after victory. Miracle after miracle. We’d expect a life full of celebration, not sorrow.

So how could Elijah, after all these extraordinary displays of God’s power, fall into such a dark pit of depression that he begged God to take his life?

Seven Keys to Victory

Some people act as if depression has a single cause, but Elijah’s story shows us it’s rarely that simple. His struggle in 1 Kings 19 (NKJV) highlights several layers of what can drive us into discouragement. Here are seven powerful lessons we can draw from his experience:

1. Be careful what voices you listen to.

Elijah’s downward spiral began with one message: “Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah” (1 Kings 19:2). Isn’t that how it often works? Every day, we’re flooded with voices: God speaking, the enemy whispering, people around us, and endless messages from media. Jezebel’s threats carried a demonic weight, and Elijah let those words sink into his soul. The spirit of Jezebel is still alive today, speaking fear and intimidation. If we tune in to that voice, depression and despair are sure to follow close behind.

2. Don’t isolate yourself.

Elijah made a critical mistake: he left his servant behind (v. 3). Alone in his darkest moment, there was no one to encourage him or remind him of God’s promises. Even worse, he forgot there were still 7,000 in Israel who hadn’t bowed to Baal (v. 18). Depression thrives in isolation. Sometimes the first step toward healing is simply reconnecting with those who would gladly stand beside us in the fight.

3. Remember the body matters.

Elijah’s depression wasn’t only spiritual or emotional; it was physical, too. He was exhausted, running on little sleep, dehydrated, and starving. God’s first prescription wasn’t a sermon but sleep, food, and water (vs. 5–8). Our bodies and minds are deeply connected, and sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is rest, eat well, and let God renew us physically.

4. Ask if you’re in the right place.

Twice God asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (vs. 9, 13). It’s a question worth asking ourselves. Are we out of alignment with God’s leading? Maybe stuck in the wrong job, living in a place where He never called us, or staying in a relationship that drains our soul. Location matters; sometimes depression is a sign we’re out of position, and God is nudging us somewhere new.

5. Stop carrying the weight of the world.

Elijah groaned, “I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (v. 10). He believed the mission of Israel’s revival rested squarely on his shoulders. No wonder he felt crushed! When we slip into the trap of thinking everything depends on us, exhaustion and despair are inevitable. God invites us to lay our burdens down and remember He’s God, and we’re not.

6. Lean into God’s gentle whisper.

Elijah knew the power of God’s voice, yet in the noise of his ministry, he seems to have drifted from that quiet intimacy. God sent a wind, an earthquake, and fire, but His true voice came as a gentle whisper (vs. 11–12). Depression can numb us, but it can also remind us to slow down and seek God’s presence in the stillness where His love and peace restore us.

7. Rediscover your God-given purpose.

Perhaps the deepest wound Elijah carried was the thought that his mission was over. Nothing will drain hope faster than believing your purpose has ended. Yet God gave him a new assignment: to anoint kings and raise up Elisha as a successor (vs. 15–16). With fresh marching orders, Elijah’s hope began to rekindle. Sometimes the cure for despair is the reminder that God isn’t done with us yet.

What Now?

Many of us have faced a bout of serious depression at one time or another. If Elijah, one of the greatest prophets in Scripture, battled despair, we shouldn’t be surprised when we face it too. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay in the cave.

Elijah’s story reminds us that hope is always within reach. You can silence the messengers of fear and condemnation and instead cling to God’s promises. You can lean on the Lord and the friends He’s placed in your life instead of trying to carry the weight of the world on your own.

It also pays to take inventory of the physical factors that may be fueling your emotions. Are you getting enough rest, exercise, water, and nourishment? Do you need to release some of the stress that’s been weighing you down?

And don’t miss the question God asked Elijah: “What are you doing here?” Maybe it’s time to consider whether you’re in the right place, the right role, surrounded by the right people.

Above all, make room again for God’s gentle whisper. If life’s noise has dulled your sensitivity to His voice, He’s ready to meet you in the quiet and renew your spirit. And don’t be surprised if He not only reaffirms your calling but also opens the door to a brand-new assignment.

Even if you’ve been hiding out in a cave lately, remember this: with God, your best days are still to come.

Your partner in reaching the lost,

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If you’re ready to move from discouragement to renewed hope,
explore the Spiritual Growth Hub and discover biblical tools to strengthen your faith and walk with God.