Philippians 4 : 7
February 21, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING – 21 FEBRUARY
February 21, 2025
THE 21st OF FEBRUARY
DISCOURAGEMENT FRUSTRATES
“And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’” – 1 Kings 19:9-10
It is striking that Elijah felt the need to tell God about what the Israelites had done and the difficulties he was facing. Yet, these were the very reasons God had sent him to Ahab with a message of judgment through the drought. Elijah also seemed to have forgotten what Obadiah had shared—how he had saved a hundred prophets from execution. He was not, in fact, the only prophet left. Was Elijah lying? Certainly not. But disappointment and distress often cloud our judgment, making the negative seem overwhelming and blinding us to the good. We begin to see reality through the lens of pain, distorting the truth.
God spoke to Elijah while he was still in the depths of despair. Did the Lord truly need an answer? His question was rhetorical, intended to help Elijah recognize his own frustration, understand that his perspective was not entirely accurate, and realize that it was time for a change in attitude. How often do we experience something similar? When we voice our troubles to someone else, we sometimes realize they aren’t as terrible as we initially thought. However, in moments of distress, we may feel the urge to exaggerate, making our burdens appear even heavier. This tendency stems from our fallen human nature. That is why Jesus instructs us to “deny ourselves, take up our cross daily,” (Luke 9:23) so that we may truly follow Him.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unfailing love, grace, mercy, and kindness. You know me better than I know myself, and nothing is hidden from You. You understand my struggles even when I don’t. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for helping me grow when I seek You. Please guard my heart against despair when challenges arise and remind me to lift my eyes to You. You are my only hope, and true help comes from You alone. Glory and honor be to Your Holy Name. Amen
