The Elijah Complex
The Elijah Complex
Resolving Negative Thoughts
Read: Prov. 23:7; Ps. 139:2; Ezekiel 11:5
Thoughts that effect the Elijah Complex;
1. Worry, 2. Inferiority, 3. Self-pity, 4. Depression, 5. Discouragement, 6. Bitterness, 7. Envy, 8. Fear, 9. Lust, 10. Guilt, 11. Negitive, 12. Focus on Self
Who Was Elijah?
Elijah's character is one of moral sublimity. His faith in God seemed to know no limit or questioning. His zeal for Jehovah was an all-absorbing motive of his life, so that he justly said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts." No danger or duty was too severe to shake his confidence-no labor too great for his Lord. His courage was undaunted, even in the presence of royalty or famine. His obedience was as simple and unquestioning as a child's. Tender of soul, he could sympathize with the widow when she lost her child or weep over the sad condition of his deluded countrymen. Stern in principle, he was; in his opposition to sin, as fierce as the fire that more than once answered his command. He was by nature a recluse, only appearing before men to deliver his message from God and to enforce it by a miracle, and then disappearing from sight again.
What was The Elijah Complex?
1 Kings 19:1-4 – Depression – He wanted to commit suicide
Depression Statistics about Women
- There is higher rate of depression in married women as compared to single women and many are having depression at child birth.
- Common age group of women is 25 to 44 who suffer from depression.
- Depression is becoming now a days major cause of disability in women.
- On an average out of 3 depressed women, only one will seek professional help.
- Women experience depression twice as much as men.
- In US nearly 7 million women are clinically depressed.
- One in five women can have chance of having clinical depression at same age.
- Mostly 15 percent of women suffering from severe depression will commit suicide.
- Nearly 10 percent of women experience postpartum depression after birth of a child.
Depression Statistics abut Men
- One in seven men will develop depression within 6 months of becoming unemployed.
- Men after retired are having highest risk of depression.
- Those men who are recently diagnosed with depression are having high risk of cardiovascular problems in the next five years.
- Even though women experience depression as twice as men do, but the rate of men who commit suicide is three times as that of women.
- Main reasons of depression in men are separation after marriage, widowed, divorce.
What Was the Cause of Elijah’s Depression?
A. Lack of adequate rest – 1 Kings 19:3-4
B. Lack of proper diet – 1 Kings 19:6-7
C. Frustration and anger at God and others – Gen. 4:6; Num. 11:11; 1 Kings 19:10-14
D. Excessive stress – Matt. 26:37-38; Num. 11:14; 1 Kings 19:1-4
E. Feeling sorry for myself – Num. 11:11-14; Ps. 77:3; John 4:1-4
F. Disobedience to God’s revealed will – Gen. 4:6; 2 Sam. 12:1-18; Ps. 51; John 4:1-4
G. Personal expectations of others – John 4:1-4; 1 Kings 19:10-14; Num. 11:10-14
H. Fear – 1 Kings 19:3
I. Loneliness – 1 Kings 19:4
What Were the Symptoms of Elijah’s Depression? 1 Kings 19:1-18
1. Fear
2. Running From Pressure
3. Self-pity
4. Suicidal thoughts
5. Question God’s providence
6. Exaggerated the problems
7. Withdrawal
8. Oversensitive
9. Loss of self-esteem
10. Loss of prospective
11. Hopeless, apathy, despair
12. Unresolved anger
What Are The Consequences if Depression is Not Resolved?
A. Desire to be alone – 1 Kings 19:3, 4
B. Sense of being rejected – Gen. 4:7; 1 Kings 19:10, 14
C. Feelings of worthlessness – 1 Kings 19:4, 10
D. Anger – Gen. 4:5-6
E. Stop Fulfilling responsibilities – 1 Kings 19:4
F. Desire to escape – 1 Kings 19:4
G. Sense of being alienated from others – Ps. 51:12; 77:7-9
H. Loss of Joy – Gen. 4:6; 1 Kings 19:4; Ps. 38:6; 51:12; 77:6; Prov. 17:22
I. Complaining – Num. 11:14; 1 Kings 19:10, 14; Ps 38:4; 77:3
J. Desire for God to end one’s life – Num. 11:15; 1 Kings 19:4; Jonah 4:3
How Can One Reverse Depression and Fearful Thoughts?
1. Repentance – Ps. 139:23; Isa. 55:7
2. Transformation – Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23-24
3. Meditation – Hebrews 4:12
4. Focus on Christ – Phil. 4:6-7
5. A Committed Trusting Heart – Prov. 3:5, 6
6. Expose Your Thought To God – Ps. 139:23-24
7. Guard Your Thoughts – Phil. 4:6-7
8. Bring Each Thought Captive – 2 Cor. 10:5
9. Make Your Central Focus Spiritual – Col. 3:1-2
10. Renew Your Mind – Rom. 12:1-2
11. Choose to Focus Your Thoughts On Eight Positive Qualities – Phil. 4:7-8
12. Pray for the Peace that Christ Promised – John 14:27
“Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory--character--of Christ will be received into the Paradise of God. A renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy.” Desire of Ages. p.331