Out of the Cave
Selected Scriptures
1 Kings 19:1-4 (NIV)
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
1. Life imbalances
“We were never designed for the sedentary, indoor, socially isolated, fast-food laden, sleep-deprived, frenzied pace of modern life.” ~ Stephen Ilardi
Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
2. Isolation and loneliness.
The first problem in the Bible wasn’t sin. It was solitude.
Genesis 2:18 (NIV)
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
3. Comparing ourselves with others.
“Comparison is the thief of joy” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.
4. Ruminating and self-talk.
“95% of your emotions are determined by the way you talk to yourself.” ~ Brian Tracy
Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things… and the God of peace will be with you.
5. Inability to process pain in a healthy way.
There’s purpose in our pain.
Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
6. Spiritual warfare
It’s spiritual.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…
