Read 1 Kings 19:1-15
Elijah was a human being like us.—James 5:17 (NRSV)
Years ago, I ran a large community outreach event for our church. Thousands of people came, and it went well. But at the end, one person made a critical remark and I went home thinking only about what they had said. Because of that one complaint, I felt like the entire event had failed.
In 1 Kings 19, we read how Elijah experienced something similar. He had recently performed two of his greatest miracles: defeating the prophets of Baal and ending the drought with his prayer. Elijah was doing great things with God: helping vulnerable people, destroying false gods, and saving a region from disaster. But then Jezebel threatened him. After all his great work, Elijah lost his confidence, went off by himself and wanted to die. For Elijah, that one negative experience seemed to outweigh everything else.
Elijah’s loss of confidence is all too familiar. After all James 5:17 tells us that Elijah was just like us. But when God brought Elijah food for strength and gave him a task, he realized that God still had good plans for him. And he accomplished more great things through God’s power and grace. Just as God still had great plans for Elijah, God also has great plans for us.
Prayer: Dear God, show us opportunities to grow through criticism and accomplish even more for you. Amen.
Thought for the day: I can turn criticism into an opportunity to seek God’s guidance.
Bob LaForge, New Jersey
