Monica Johnson's Blog : “Motivated”

Today's OneWord is "Motivated"

Depression has a sneaking way of draining our energy and forcing us to question if we can trust God to be there when we need Him in our daily lives. Many of us know what we want to achieve in life. We have dreams and aspirations, but many of them fall to the side because of roadblocks along the way. Knowing that our mind set effects our destiny can help us shorten the trip along the way.

Elijah, one of Israel's greatest prophets who audaciously confronted King Ahab and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, feel into a deep depression when Queen Jezebel threaten to kill him. In fact, Elijah did not even want to live anymore. He was so afraid that he ran for his life, taking his servants with him. He ran to Beersheba and left his servants there. Now he was alone. He walked for a whole day in the desert. He was hurting so badly that he set under a tree and asked God to let Him die. Elijah told God, "I have had enough, Lord." He prayed, "Let me die." This is what happens when we misplace our focus on God's promises. We like Elijah lose our ability to thinking correctly, our appetite, and we isolated ourselves from everyone around us. If a prophet like Elijah could ask God to take his life because He did not want to face his problems, where do we stand. Even us as leading men and women of God will struggle with our day-to-day activities, but God's power is our answer. Elijah was a courageous man. However, He responded in fear and landed in depression.

Fear is a key component of depression. "Worry is a heavy load [leads to depression], but a kind [good] word cheers you up" (Proverbs 12:25). When we are depressed, God shows us His loving concern and a way out. He wants us to get up and do something. He does not want us to waddling in our mess. He wants us to speak life to our situation. Just as, He did for Elijah, He will respond to us with mercy. He will not criticize, reprimand, or condemn. He will just ask us, "My child! Why Are You Here?" He will supply us all the comforts we need. He will take care of our physically and spiritually necessities. We sometimes behave as Elijah; we think that we are in this alone. We have to learn that God will walk through the valley of the shadow of death with us. He will not forsake us. Even when we are in the depth of depression, God wants us to have the best. He cares for us. We must know that during our trails and pains of today, there is a better tomorrow.

Today be motivated by simply deciding to change. Start telling yourself, "I have decided…I will live and not die." "I have decided…to laugh and love." I have decided to speak those things as though they were." I have decided…I am more than a conquer." I have decided…I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." As we begin to speak these affirmations, we will be motivated to change. We will be motivated to seek God for our problems. In addition, we will be motivated to do differently.