II’m not the first to be confounded by the prophet Elijah’s fear of Jezebel in 1 Kings. The man had just pulled off an epic victory in a legendary showdown. He defeated over 450 prophets of Baal, audaciously mocking them and the king and queen who sent them. You would think he would feel invincible—but the opposite happened.
When Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah, he was trembling. He was so terrified he asked God to take his life. How can someone who won against 450 terrifying men be intimidated by one person, a lesser enemy? I ask the same question of myself. Nearly ten years ago, I faced stage 4 breast cancer. Yet there are lesser enemies in life that can terrify me. Why?
"Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I don’t make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time!” 1 Kings 19:1-2
Human Being vs. Human Doing
When we struggle with worthiness, we may have confidence that God shows up for His battles, but not always for us personally. When there is a direct threat, it can be harder to muster the faith we need. God wants the best for us—not just for what we can do for Him. Once we embrace His tremendous love for us, separate from our performance, we can more readily receive His grace in our time of need.
Another factor that feeds fear is neglect—neglecting the care of our body and mind.
When he saw that, he arose, and ran for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree. Then he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough. Now, O Yahweh, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” 1 Kings 3:4
Red Flags: Self-Care and Neglect
Intense negativity is a red flag hat it’s time to apply self-care. God even sent an angel to do this for Elijah. In 1 Kings 19:5-8, Elijah took naps, ate food the angel provided, drank, and rested again. Spirituality and mental health are sometimes deeply connected to basic self-care: eating well, drinking, and getting enough sleep. No one else will always parent us—God’s provision through nourishment and rest shows us the importance of stewardship over our bodies.
He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat!” He looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. Yahweh’s angel came again the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
He arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, God’s Mountain. 1 Kings 19:5-8
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for neglecting the fundamental stewardship of my body. These things are simple, but sometimes I fail to care for myself—sleeping enough, eating properly, and resting in Your love. Give me a desire to maintain health in my body, wisdom to see Your love for me beyond what I do for You, and insight to trust Your care in every season. In Jesus’ name, amen.
