Our Pity Parties...

Sometimes we get so caught up in the moment that we lose touch with God and reality. Our false or distorted view of reality drives us to think we are the only ones going through this. Then we start in with our “pity party”. Why is it we do this? Isn’t God bigger than our problems? Of course He is. Maybe the reason God allows us to think this is just part of the process of sanctification. In order to become more humble, we need to think of others more than ourselves, God has to rub us like two sticks, creating friction, that helps us realize in the heat of the moment, that we are not the center of the universe. We are important to Him, but we are not Him. Elijah was heavily into his own pity party when God, in a still small voice, spoke to him, fed him, comforted him, and instructed him on what to do next. God also reminded Elijah that it wasn’t all dependent on him. The major take away from this is to always go to God with everything, especially when you think “woe is me”. He will be there with you to see it through. When you think, “where are You, Lord?”, you just need to take your eyes off yourself, freeing you up to concentrate and hear and recognize that still small voice He has a tendency to use more times than not. It’s our responsibility to hear it, especially when we think the world is against us and we are all alone. We are never alone. God’s plan involves more that just me, these struggles help bring that view back into the proper perspective.

Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with You, torn down Your altars, and killed every one of Your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”11 “Go out and stand before Me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with You, torn down Your altars, and killed every one of Your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as My prophet. 17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! 18 Yet I will preserve 7 ,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!” 1 Kings 19:9c-18