Have you become depressed because your hope has been dashed? That shows that your hope was in the wrong thing.

Elijah the prophet became depressed after one of his greatest VICTORIES (Not defeats). He has emphatically displayed that the Lord is greater than Baal (an idol) in a duel of the prophets. Him versus 450 baals prophets. This is the type of miracle that we would love to perform in front of our opponents to prove once and for all that God exists. Elijah did exactly that. (1 Kings 18)

But almost immediately after this great spiritual victory, he became so depressed that he wanted to die. Why? Because the queen of Israel, Jezebel, who was a Baal worshipper, threatened to kill him. But why would Elijah be depressed simply because of a woman’s words when he has just so valiantly defeated 450 baal prophets and put them to sword? It was because he expected the queen to bow her knees in submission and worship God instead of Baal, bringing reform to the nation Israel. But when he realized that that wasn’t going to happen, he felt defeated and depressed. He gave his best shot, but it wasn’t good enough. If a spectacular miracle from heaven wasn’t going to change her, nothing would.

Elijah’s problem was that he was putting his faith in an event, expecting that event to bring about a certain result. Rather than trusting God and His timing and His will in the matter, he put his faith in the event.

I’ve been down that road many times. For example, after a great turnout for an Easter service, I expected our church to finally experience explosive growth. But when that didn’t happen, I would get depressed. But I realize that God had never told me that we are going to experience explosive growth. He told us to obey and plant the church, but He never told us how or when or even if it will grow. It was MY expectation that led to disappointment and disillusionment.

Perhaps you experienced something similar? In your relationship with your spouse, a significant event would finally turn him around? A new job would finally solve your financial struggles? A move would finally free you from your past? A new degree will give you the respect you’ve been wanting?

Our hope must be in God. His promises will only truly be fulfilled in the life to come.

PH