In her book, “HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION,” Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv. wrote, According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, frustration is defined as a feeling of discouragement, anger, and annoyance because of unresolved problems or unfulfilled goals, desires, or needs and before you know it you’re gradually becoming depressed.[1]
You might become bent out of shape and feel frustrated when things do not go through the way you want, but sometimes it is good to stay patient to see the silver lining in your dark clouds. Joyce Meyer once said, “When you’re tempted to give up your breakthrough is probably just around the corner.”[2]”
Elijah experienced frustration and depression in the Bible. 1Kings 19:4 & 14 (KJV) says,“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
He was discouraged by the state of the Israelites. He’d wanted them to return to God, but that goal was unfulfilled. Elijah’s situation was a typical case of frustration. The apostate condition of his nation was an unresolved problem that annoyed and saddened him. Elijah also felt alone, rejected, unappreciated, and attacked. No wonder he expressed a desire to die. In the 21st century, Elijah’s thoughts would have been termed suicidal. His experience shows that there’s a thin line between frustration and depression.
Also, Elijah’s desire to die shows fatigue. He was tired of being the only one standing for truth. At some point in his life, such a position must have been novel for him. But fatigue set in and gradually turned to frustration.
According to Apostle Perry, “a downward spiral of fatigue may lead to frustration and from their depression as a result of self-criticism, inability to meet up with one’s expectations, perceived expectations of others, or inability to fulfill the known societal roles. They are both undesirable concatenations of the event to be decisively avoided in whichever order it takes. So, when you feel frustrated, it’s essential to see your situation from different perspectives. Sometimes, things aren’t as bad as they seem. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to be patient enough to get to the end. In Elijah’s case, he needs to understand that his sacrifices were not in vain, and he wasn’t alone as he thought.
You are not alone, okay? So, take a break from that situation and convince yourself that God is with you and for you. When people try to frustrate you and make a mess of your efforts, let them go and move on, and see God vindicate you in the end.
Do you want to learn more about how to overcome depression and live a life full of laughter and fulfillment? Then get this life-transforming book, HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION by Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv.
[1]https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frustration
[2]https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/95341-when-you-are-tempted-to-give-up-your-breakthrough-is