- BibleViews2Use
- Posts
- I Grew Darker
I Grew Darker
I needed help and that’s exactly when my wife stepped in the room and saw it.
Steven Pawley
March 10, 2026
Are You New to BV2U? Welcome!
📖 🏘️ Hey, if you’re not busy Monday @ Noon (EST) jump on the weekly Zoom Bible study and fellowship. It’s free, engaging and well worth an hour of your time. Request your link and show up!
👏🏼 Thank you for giving to this ministry. Your gifts help keep the ministry going and expand its reach. Sharing these posts with others does too!
📝The 15-Day Challenge is back. This popular devotion from Ephesians is free and available for a short time. Grab it while you can and share it with friends.
👩🏽💻 Our Next Live Online Cohort is Forming Soon. Check it out here and get on the waitlist to be notified when the next one. You won’t want to miss it.
♥️ Follow on Instagram | Facebook | Threads for more biblical guidance.
Sitting at my desk, I stared off, didn’t care and felt both powerless and hopeless. The feeling gripped me, wouldn’t let go, darkness was flooding in and I didn’t seem to care.
Life was pretty good but at that moment, I was not. I needed help and that’s exactly when my wife stepped in the room and saw it.
Things were getting dangerous and there was no good reason to explain it.
A famous prophet of God named Elijah got there too.
Elijah had the power of God on his life and having some of the best chapters in his life. But then came chapter 19 and he’s out in the wilderness asking God to take his life.
1 Kgs 19:4. What changed?
Fear. Stress. Overwhelm. Unsustainable Pace. Sudden Turn of Events. Stuff like that. Maybe for you it’s a recent loss or change in life circumstances. And you’re depressed.
For me, it was the side effect from an antibiotic I was taking for an abscessed tooth.
Who knew!
But that one and only bout with serious depression left an impression I’ll never forget.
1 Kgs. 19 is a masterclass in dealing with situational depression. Something shifts in life and you’re not handling it so well – you know, you’re “having a moment”.
Yet just a little intervention can go a long way, and many times (not always) the fix might be simpler than you think.
God started with Elijah’s physical needs. Sleep, hydration, nourishment, nutrition and a little exercise. He was exhausted, stressed, and wasn’t taking care of himself.
It catches up, right? When it does, others might be critical, but God knows you need compassion and offers it. He sent an angel with nourishment twice.
But then God asks a good question without assuming v. 9.
Sometimes we just need to talk it out until the next steps become clear. Elijah went from wanting to die to having a meaningful conversation with God. That’s progress!
He also started doing something he could do something about. Even a little activity or a change of environment can be a good antidote to what afflicts you in that moment.
Not all depression can be cured this way – I know that. But a little intervention goes a long way when we find ourselves in a situation that brings us down.
For me, the only thing that changed was the antibiotic. The cure was as simple as throwing the prescription away once my wife discovered a nasty side effect: depression.
What does it look like for you? Start simple. What’s changed? How’d you get here?
The cure might be as close as that angel God sent to meet some physical needs. For me, that angel was Lorie. I wasn’t in the state of mind to do anything and needed help.
If things are feeling off, let someone step in. It really can be that simple even when you feel powerless and hopeless in the moment. I’m cheering for you!
I put more about this down in the GO DEEPER section. I hope it helps you or someone you care about. Who can you be an angel to and forward this post?
Hey, if you’re not busy Monday @ Noon (EST) jump on the weekly Zoom Bible study and fellowship. It’s free, engaging and well worth an hour of your time. Request your link and show up!
I’ve been reading this guy’s Sunday newsletter and eat it up. He’s going through the book of Romans in a refreshing style. It’s free. Grab it below and let me know your thoughts:
|
Thanks for Reading!
How Would You Rate Today's Read? |
Did You Know You Can Help Support BV2U?
Click “I’ll Help” for ways you can give back!
FREE ONLINE BIBLE STUDY - Monday Upper Zoom Engagement
Join us Mondays as we discuss one of the weekly posts. It’s a great time of fellowship and growth, but don’t take my word for it! 👇🏼
“The Monday MUZE opens up the scripture in a deeper way. With all of us discussing and learning from each other, it is a great way to dig a little deeper into His Word. And since we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no judgment, just encouragement! If you are looking for something that will lift your soul and point you to Jesus, this is it. Come join us!
Thank you for all you do... I love the MUZE and love reading your emails.”
Jan M.
It’s FREE. Invite a friend and jump in @ NOON (EST) every Monday. Request Your MUZE Link and join others going deeper and growing stronger!
GO DEEPER & Get More Out of Today’s Read:
When dealing with situational depression remember we all face circumstances in life that can bring us low but sometimes can also put us in a bad place, like Elijah was.
Here are a few basic suggestions to help you from 1 Kings 19:
1. Deal with the physiology. Diet, sleep, nutrition, exercise, medications and chemistry can play a significant role in feeling depressed (1 Kgs. 19:5-8). Do not neglect this important first step in identifying and alleviating situational depression.
2. Determine circumstantial and spiritual causes that produce symptoms through careful questioning and listening (1 Kgs. 19:9-12). What’s different? What changed?
For Elijah, it was some bad news that landed while he was worn out and vulnerable to some self-pity (1 Kgs 19:1-4). He became fearful, neglected himself, and spiraled.
3. Deal with the (stinking) thinking. Talk it out and look for attitudes or thought patterns that are self-centered or in need of a new perspective (1 Kgs. 19:13-14, 18).
4. Deal with inactivity. Take steps back into daily routines, activities, recreation, better health, etc. (1 Kgs. 19:15-17, 19-21). Elijah became well and productive soon after.
5. Deal with the environment. What changes might be needed right now? Try a change of location, workload, routine or social influences or plan that quiet weekend away.
6. Don’t ignore warning signs of potential self-harm. Be alert for threatening statements or rash and risky behaviors. If nothing is helping, get competent intervention.
** You probably already know this but this is intentionally brief and not intended to replace sound advice or treatment from competent counselors or professionals.
Here’s some other things you can do to deepen your walk with Jesus:
📚🕰️ Join The Free Online Study Mondays @ Noon (EST). Request Your Link.
📝The 15-Day Challenge is back. This popular devotion from Ephesians is free and available for a short time. Grab it while you can and share it with friends.
📆 Interested in personal discipleship or consultation? Reach out here.
👩🏽💻 Next Online Cohort. Join the waitlist for the next live cohort to learn how to read and study your Bible better and have more confidence when you do.
📫 Forward this email to a friends & family and encourage them to subscribe
📈 Quick Favor? I hope you benefit from these emails. You can help me spread the word about this free ministry by inviting others and sharing BV2U to your social media.
💬 💡Feedback? Let me know how to improve this views-letter or how it impacted you. Reply to this email or write to [email protected]. I answer every email.
Some Popular Posts You Might Have Missed:
Thanks for reading 🙏
Have a wonderful day!
Financially Support This Free Ministry
BibleViews2Use will always be free; growing our influence is not. If it has helped you go deeper or grow stronger in your walk with God please consider donating and helping us reach more together. Even small donations have a big impact! Click the button to contribute.
Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.