Posted by crinn on January 22, 2002, at 7:12:40
In reply to C---so what did god do about elijah? » crinn, posted by Shar on January 21, 2002, at 22:01:43
Elijah, who biblical scholars believe was bi-polar, btw, was so depressed that he couldn't eat, nor could he even pray, except for the prayer to have God kill him. The rest of his prayers were silent, he was in so much mental anguish. Finally, after 40 days, God replied to him, not with thunder, or a great sign, but with that now famous passage, "be still and know that I am God." Jeremiah, another "famous" OT character, scholars believe had clinical depression, and he constantly struggled with it. God told him to go out, and reach out to His people. Jeremiah obeyed, but everytime he did, he needed "down time" to deal with his depression (sound familiar? this is certainly the case with me). Not to push religion on anyone, I believe it is a terribly personal choice, and certainly I have been very angry that God is taking me through this dark valley. But a very good book I found is called "A Candle at Midnight". It is primarily about prayer vigils for people with clinical depression--not as a cure-all, but as one more thing that may help. Anyway the back part of the book has all kinds of Biblical characters--Old Testament & New, that suffered a number of mental illnesses, as well as personal setbacks, and how they dealt with it. It has helped me much the same way this board has helped me--I know that I am not alone in this, and even on the days I feel most hopeless, I see that other people have survived, and even have good days.
Sorry to have rambled on--I'm pretty spacey these days (understatement) and can't seem to be consise about anything. I hope this helps.
Warmly,
Crinn> > Elijah, a *great* prophet prayed to God to kill him--repeatedly over 40 days.
>
> And what happened?
> Shar
poster:crinn
thread:17037
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020112/msgs/17060.html