I find myself feeling discouraged, burned out, on the verge of giving up. I ask myself, "Mama, what happened? Have you been holding a grudge, struggling with a bad attitude? Did you make some mistakes somewhere? Instead of wallowing in the pit you've dug for yourself, how about finding a way out of it? Where can you go in the Word of God that would give you an example to follow? What does God have to say to you now?"

When I find myself experiencing these kinds of times, God says the same thing to me that He said to the prophet Elijah: pick yourself up and move on; you've got a job to do.

"And when he [Elijah] saw that, he arose, and went for his life... and said, It is enough... and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said... I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away... And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake 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 a still small voice ... Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room... Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." (1 Kings 3–18)

Elijah had just literally had a mountaintop experience. He had been a part of an awesome display of God's power, but he was only human. He, too, was susceptible to fear, doubt, worry. The mighty prophet of God, who performed incredible miracles and showed unparalleled faith in a time of great ungodliness, when faced with an unexpected challenge beyond what he was prepared to handle, quit and ran. He did not stop to ask God for direction. He didn't think before he acted. He just ran, until he came to a wilderness. There he stopped. What was his obstacle this time? An unbelieving community? Idol worship? Religious persecution? No, it was the wilderness of doubt, self-pity, and lack of faith. "There's no one else out there, God! Do You realize that? I'm the only one! Are You aware of what I've been through lately? I can't take this anymore! Now there are people after me--it's too much! What am I supposed to do now? I've had enough!"

I love God's first response. "What are you doing here, Elijah? I didn't send you here. This isn't where I need you to be." God doesn't speak with thunder, lightning, or fierce winds, but with a still, small voice. He sends Elijah to another wilderness, but this time he'll be following God's itinerary. God has work for Elijah to do. It's time for Elijah to move on. At the end of His instructions, God mentions, "Oh, by the way, that comment about being the only one left? You're not. There are seven thousand other faithful followers of mine in Israel. You're not alone."