A distraction is defined as a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else. What is currently occupying your attention today? Health issues? Relationship challenges? What issues or circumstances tend to arise unexpectedly and distract you from your focus? For me, my distractions came when I was preparing to speak at a women’s rally. It seemed like all hell broke loose from family drama to health problems to ALL THINGS LIFE.

     So, what can you and I learn from the life of Elijah in the Old Testament? Elijah grappled with common human weaknesses, nevertheless, he was greatly utilized by God. At times Elijah was bold and decisive, and at other times fearful and hesitant. Elijah makes his initial appearance in 1 Kings 17:1, where he unexpectedly confronts Ahab, a wicked ruler presiding over the northern kingdom. Elijah had great victories over false prophets as we read in 1 Kings 18:41-46. However, in spite of these successes, Elijah entered a period of wavering faith and depression; I like to call them distractions! 1 Kings 19:1-3 tells us, “1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.” When fear and intimidation came knocking at Elijah’s door, he fled to the wilderness. The burdens of this earthly existence can also drive us to despair, into a desolate wasteland. Elijah prayed for God to take his life. 1 Kings 19:4 says, “Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.’” But God refreshed him when he said in verse 5, “Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, ‘Get up and eat!’”. God will, like he did for Elijah, revitalize, encourage, and refresh our strength to face life’s battles.

     We risk taking our eyes off the Lord and become disheartened when we dwell on life’s turbulences, just as Elijah did. So, we can safeguard our minds and hearts from distractions by first believing God’s Word over our circumstances, praying, and dying to ourselves. But then we must get up! Get up out of the wilderness. Get up from depression and discouragement. Finally, repeat the process.