Arise and Eat

  I've thought about this story time and time again, and think there are crucial lessons to learn. Here we have Elijah, a prophet of great reputation, at his lowest. As he is running away from severe danger he finds himself exhausted. The kind of exhaustion that is all encompassing. This amazing, chosen, man went as far as he could before stopping and telling the Lord he wished to 'throw in the towel'.

1 Kings 19:4-8

4 ¶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.

I wish to highlight the fact that this was a righteous and good man. He was constantly doing the Lord's work and yet, times got really, really hard. Depression, discouragement, and even despair are real--even within correct living. 

     This next part in what gets me though...

 5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

 6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

 7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

 8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights

    That's it! That's so incredibly profound and reassuring. Did you catch it?! 

The aid in his lowest moments was an angel sent to give him something to eat. At first Elijah didn't get it. He ate and went back to where he was previously. The second time the angel makes himself more clear. He explains the importance of this nourishment. He tells him that the journey is in fact too difficult. This food was the way, the answer. 
    It provides so much clarity to why we must feast upon the words of Christ ourselves. 2nd Nephi 32: 3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
     The reality is life is hard. WAY hard at times. Inside the church we have a quote that I often hear it's, "God will never give you anything you can't handle." I'd like to clarify. God doesn't give anything we can't handle IF we use the tools He's provided. Alone, I think it absolutely is too difficult at times. We have the resources though. He have the answers and the way. Prayer, service, attending both our church meetings and the temple, but specifically we have the word of God. I repeat from the scripture in 2Nephi, they tell us ALL THINGS what we should do. 
      I know that with God on our side anything is possible. It is thanks to the scriptures that I have confidence to take any step I take, no matter how terrifying to difficult it might be. 
   ARISE AND EAT, the journey is too hard if you don't. Save yourself the heartache and find the most constant unfailing companion. Therein lies joy.

    I love you and know that we've got this! One foot in front of the other. (That's how this tale of Elijah ends... he MOVES. He goes! So can we.)