Eld Chew Chong Kiat

We know what stress is. They come from all areas of our lives: family, friends, foes, life changes (new job, marriage, divorce, pregnancy, newborn, etc.), work, health matters and even in ministry. These stressors can cause us to sin and affect us physically, emotionally and spiritually. How can we biblically respond to stressors?

We can learn how from three events in Elijah’s life and his responses:

a)  Stand before the king (1Ki 17:1)

Elijah had to go and tell to king Ahab’s face that God would judge Israel by withholding dew and rain because of her disobedience. It was an incredibly stressful thing to do by all counts. It could cost him his life. Elijah could have argued with God (Fight mode), or run away like Jonah (Flight mode), or be in despair (Fright mode). But he obeyed and said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand...”. He could manage his stress because he knew whom he was serving, and in the face of the stressful assignment he stood in the face of God as he faced Ahab. His fear of God removed his fear of wicked Ahab and wife. There is none that the child of God should fear if he fears the LORD God of Israel. All others are nothing in the sight of God, for “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31b).  

Christians, we do not have a secular life. Our whole life is spiritual and everything that we do is spiritual, for they are to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. Col 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” We bear the image of Christ in all that we do. As we stand facing the world, we stand in the face of God. He is with us to enable us to shine for Him and do His will. We need not feel stressed when we know that what we do pleases God.   

b)  Fed by the ravens (1Ki 17:2-7)

It did not rain for three and a half years (Lu 4:25). Did Elijah worry about his survival? God revealed His plan to him (v3-6). For water, he was to hide by the brook Cherith; for food, God sent bread and flesh via air courier service twice a day. How were they sent? Via ravens! They are superb scavengers that hunt for food. But why would they bring their food to Elijah in a food-scarce land? If we try to answer this question by using our common sense, we will be stressed out. Elijah just obeyed and “he went and did according to the word of the LORD” (v5a). God commanded and the ravens came faithfully morning and evening with provisions till the brook dried up. How long that went on we do not know. His faith overcame the anxiety. If God’s Word says so, that settles it, we can rest in it. He did not respond in despair, resignation, or unbelief. Neither did he start to accumulate as much food as he could before the effects of the drought hit everyone. Elijah waited on God for his daily bread morning and evening, a sufficient and convenient supply, with no extra to lay up for tomorrow. He did not have questions like “What if the ravens do not come tomorrow?” There was no “What if”.

Most of us do not like a daily supply; we want yearly or at least a monthly supply. We feel uneasy living on a daily provision. We like to see our fridge and store cupboard full so that we can have food anytime we want. We get stressed by worrying about the future, especially in these uncertain times we are living in. Let us learn from Elijah and trust in God. Three times our Lord Jesus says to us “take no thought” in Matthew 6:25, 31 and 34. Why? Because He will provide. Learn to trust Him day by day. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  

Then the water dried up (v7). Another stressor. After he had gotten comfortable, things changed. Did God have a plan? Surely the daily provision for Elijah is a testimony of God’s care. God would not leave him to perish! Let us also not be faithless. He has always been with us. Will He forsake His own? Learn to wait and pray. God will show His plan in His perfect time and He is never late. All things around us may change, but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He changes not (Heb 13:8).

c)  Sustained by the widow (1Ki 17:8-16)

God instructed Elijah to go to a widow to be sustained. A brook promises water, but how can a widow, a destitute of the society, provide for him? Elijah was ready to obey after his stay at the brook. No need to be stressed up, God will fulfil His promises. We need to believe.  He has said that He is in control and all things will work together for good (Ro 8:28).

When we are anxious, remember Philippians 4:6-7  “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” When something happens unexpectedly; when a demand falls into your basket that is already full of cares; when you receive sudden news (retrenchment, terminal illness or accidents); when you have to deal with unpleasant things, how does God want you to respond? Fight, flight, fright, or faith?

Elijah went as told and he met not a wealthy widow, but one gathering sticks. It did not look promising. But he boldly asked for some water, and as she turned to fetch it, he also asked for bread. Why was he so demanding? He was a prophet. Didn’t he know that she had nothing left but that handful of meal and a little oil? Surely, he knew. The Lord had revealed to him how the barrel and cruse would not fail to supply them food till the day God would send the rain. Elijah believed and he needed this Gentile woman to know and believe in Jehovah too. And when she obeyed, God indeed provided for her and her son and Elijah.

Blessings will flow only if we believe. If we pull back and do not take the step of faith, we will not see the fulfilment of God’s word. The first step into the river of Jordan had to be taken before it parted, the woman first needed to go and make the meal for Elijah before she would be provided with divine supply. Many a time we stay in our faithlessness, stressed out, instead of staying upon Jehovah and having our hearts fully blessed, and finding as He promised perfect peace and rest. Take the first step of faith in obedience to God and do what He says. Let God take care of the future.

The days ahead of us are expected to be tough, not just economically, but more so spiritually. Do not lose heart and look up! For our salvation draws near. The best remedy for stress is faith, hope and love: Faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness as revealed in His Word; Hope in God’s providence and eternal plan as it is written; Love God and our neighbour so that in such a time as this our light will shine brighter and so that the world may know that we are children of God, who love one another, for God is love.