Life comes with challenges.
Not everyday is rosy. Some days will come with challenges; little or overwhelming.
There will be days when we will be too weak to believe in ourselves or trust in God’s promises, fear, anxiety and doubt poking at us.
In such moments, the wings of others can carry us through.
Prophet Elijah was weak, weary and felt all alone defending the faith. There was no one close enough to encourage him, but in his weakness, God sent an angel to nourish and strengthen him.
The angel didn’t berate him; he offered him help as sent by God. And Elijah was able to believe again and go on to do great works.
“…then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat… and he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights…”
1 Kings 19:5, 8 (KJV)
When our friends, family and brethren in Christ are weak, discouraged and broken-hearted, do we focus on telling them all their flaws, criticising their response to the season or bombarding them with possible solutions?
Yes, we shouldn’t allow our loved ones to wallow in self-pity or self-loathing, but our first response should focus on encouraging, strengthening and making them feel seen and loved.
We can look for solutions later and talk about ways to prevent future occurrences, but in the spirit of love, we must offer comfort, our arms in embrace, and acts of kindness that will soothe their aching or weary hearts.
Sometimes all people need to try again are a warm embrace and words of assurance — “I believe in you”, “I love you”, “I’ll always be here for you”.
The knowing that no matter how lonely their life’s journey gets, they are not alone.
Be the angel to any Elijah you encounter.
Be the reason someone is encouraged to try again, dream again, and live again.
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