Feet of Clay Feet of Clay is an

• ‘Feet of Clay’

• ‘Feet of Clay’ • is an expression commonly used to refer to a weakness or character flaw, especially in people of prominence.

• “But we have this treasure in jars of clay…” 2 Cor. 4: 7

• “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ” 2 Cor. 4: 7

• God works through the Unlikely, to do the Unbelievable, so that His power is Undeniable!

1 Kings 19: 1 -21

• 1 Kings 17 • Elijah introduced • Predicts Famine • Fed by Ravens • Miracle of the Oil and Flour • Raises Widows son

• 1 Kings 18 • Victory over the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel • Drought ends with Rain

• 1 Kings 19

• “Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. ” 1 Kings 19: 3

• Fear • A feeling induced by perceived danger, whether real or imagined.

• Fear • A feeling induced by perceived danger, whether real or imagined. • False Emotions Appearing Real

• Fear • Causes a ‘fight or flight’ response

• Fear • Causes a ‘fight or flight’ response • Causes us to become indecisive

• Fear • Can lead to dangerous, harmful, or careless reactions

• Fear • Can lead to dangerous, harmful, or careless reactions • Can lead to anxiety and depression

• “And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers. " 1 Kings 19: 4

• He (Elijah) said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars

• and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away. “ 1 Kings 19: 10

• Why did Elijah fall into Depression?

• Why did Elijah fall into Depression? • Expectations

• ‘Expectations are premeditated disappointments’

• ‘I thought…. ’ • ‘You should have…. ’

• ‘I thought…. ’ • ‘You should have…. ’ • ‘Don’t should all over me!’

• ‘We expect a lot from other people and very little of ourselves’

• Why did Elijah fall into Depression? • Expectations • Focus

• Why did Elijah fall into Depression? • Expectations • Focus • Strategy

• Coping Skills:

• Coping Skills: • Reactive

• Coping Skills: • Reactive • Protective

• Coping Skills: • Reactive • Protective • Proactive

• Coping Skills: • Reactive • Protective • Proactive

• Depression • 30 -36% in U. S. have Major Depressive Episode • Most prevalent between ages of 45 -64

• Depression • 25. 1% of children between 1318 have depression/anxiety

• People get depressed over; • Failure • Disappointment • Unbiblical Self-concept • Rejection

• People get depressed over; • Conflict • Stress • Covetousness

• Depression affects us: • Psychologically • Physically • Spiritually

• How do we respond to people with Depression?

• ‘Get over it, no one ever said life was fair’

• ‘Get over it, no one ever said life was fair’ • ‘Stop feeling sorry for yourself’

• ‘Get over it, no one ever said life was fair’ • ‘Stop feeling sorry for yourself’ • ‘It’s your own fault’

• ‘Christians don’t get depressed, its just a lack of faith’

• ‘Christians don’t get depressed, its just a lack of faith’ • ‘Have some chamomile tea, it always makes me feel better’

• How did God respond to Elijah’s Depression?

• How did God respond to Elijah’s Depression? • He provided food and rest

• “and behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat. " And he looked, and behold,

• “there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. ”

• “And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you. " 1 Kings 19: 5 -7

• Hungry • Angry • Lonely • Tired

• Typically when you are depressed you feel alone, you can’t eat or sleep.

• How did God respond to Elijah’s Depression? • He provided food and rest • He then dealt with the real issues in Elijah’s life

• Why did Elijah fall into Depression? • Focus

• “There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah? " 1 Kings 19: 9

• He (Elijah) said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars

• and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away. “ 1 Kings 19: 10

• “…And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah? " 1 Kings 19: 13

• Why did Elijah fall into Depression? • Focus • Expectations

• And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD. " And behold, the LORD passed by,

• and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.

• And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire,

• but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 1 Kings 19: 11, 12

• "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, " says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. ” Isa. 55: 8

• Why did Elijah fall into Depression? • Expectations • Focus • Strategy

• “And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. ” 1 Kings 19: 15

• God works through the Unlikely, to do the Unbelievable, so that His power is Undeniable!

• God worked through the Unlikely (a fearful and depressed man), to do the Unbelievable (Miracles and Judgement),

• so that His power was Undeniable!

• Are you fearful, anxious, depressed?

• What were your Expectations • What’s your Focus • What has been you Strategy to cope?

• ‘Feet of Clay’

• “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ” 2 Cor. 4: 7

• “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ” 2 Cor. 4: 8, 9