“There is nothing more tiring than giving it all we’ve got only to discover it didn’t make much difference. . . . When your way isn’t working, you feel that nothing you do matters. You’re not making a difference, so it doesn’t take long for the fatigue alarm to start going off.”- Kyle Idleman
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness.”- 1 Kings 19:3-4 (NIV)
Kyle Idleman concludes Chapter 5 of When Your Way Isn’t Working as he notes that Elijah keeps getting discouraging news. After Queen Jezebel threatens his life, Elijah flees into the wilderness. Because Elijah underestimated what he’d dealt with the past three and a half years.
However, the prophet’s next course of action failed to help. For, Pastor Idleman notes, Elijah opted to do what most of us feel like doing when we tire out. Instead of connecting with others, he disconnected. Therefore, Kyle explains:
“Elijah was tired and didn’t feel like being around anyone else, so he disconnected and went off by himself. When your way isn’t working and you feel exhausted and depressed, sometimes what you need is what you least want. He had no energy for others, but what he doesn’t need is too much time alone.”
Above all, Pastor Idleman cautions, busyness = the enemy of connection. And even though Elijah’s fatigue blares, he seems oblivious to it. But God hears his fatigue alarm. As a result, He takes care of Elijah as He helps him rest and reconnect.
Consequently, Kyle counsels, sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to take a nap. Notice, the author adds, that God doesn’t tell Elijah that he’s burning daylight. Or that he can sleep when he dies. From the beginning of creation, God’s way always includes rest. So, don’t get so busy you fail to notice your fatigue alarm blaring!
Today’s question: What most helps you when you feel that you’re not making a difference? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Anxiety alert – plug your ears?”
