The Elijah Project: My Protector, My...

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 1

The Elijah Project: My Protector, My Provider

written by Andrea M. Polnaszek and illustrated by Christina Rambo


Table of Contents

Introduction....................................................................................3

Dedication......................................................................................5

Your Story, My Story .....................................................................8

Activity 1: Who am I?...............................................................10

Activity 2: Story.......................................................................11

Who is Elijah?..............................................................................12

The Brook Dries Up: Necessary Endings........................................13

Activity 3: Endings...................................................................14

What Have I Done Wrong? The Problem with Shame ....................15

Activity 4: The Shame Trap.......................................................16

Safe People: Are There Any?........................................................17

Activity 5: Recognizing Safe and Unsafe People.........................18

The Idol Limp ..............................................................................19

Activity 6: Limping ..................................................................20

What Do I Feel? ...........................................................................21

Activity 7: Fear ........................................................................22

Activity 8: Like Elijah: Scared, Lonely, Exhausted .....................23

Activity 9: Hopelessness...........................................................24

Activity 10: Like Elijah: Plunged into the Depths of Sadness.......25

Feeling Faces ...........................................................................26

Name it . Claim it . Tame it .........................................................27

The Broom Tree...........................................................................28

Activity 11: Rest....................................................................... 29

Hearing God’s Voice ....................................................................31

Activity 12: Quiet.....................................................................32

Resources.....................................................................................33


Introduction

I was invited to participate in a forum for faith-based organizations which offered

mental health support in their communities, October 2009. This forum gathered

some of the most incredible faith-based servants from around the country. A

committee was formed from that group and this committee created a curriculum for laity to address mental health issues in their community of faith. The valuable

experience of working with this committee laid the backdrop and inspired the work

of The Elijah Project for Touched Twice United.

For 15 years I’ve had the privilege to walk with children, adolescents and families through the trying hardship and pain. As a licensed clinical social worker, youth

pastor, church community member, and administrator for Touched Twice United

I’ve had a bird’s eye view of the true hurt that happens on this broken planet. There

are no easy answers. My consistent sentiment is to share your story until it becomes

so much a part of you ... that you no longer cry. Thankfully God collects all of our tears and holds them in a bottle until the day of Christ’s return. He is our Protector

and Provider.

The Elijah Project is an extension of that work, written with Touched Twice clinic

coordinators, advocates, professionals and other volunteers in mind. Although, as I shared this work, people of all ages and life experience found a nugget of truth, a

way that they could apply it to their life situation.

We’ve heard over and over again that volunteers experience burn out, including

those working with Touched Twice United. We’ve heard the concern and recommended that volunteers rest. This response seemed too simplistic and didn’t

seem to address the heart of the problem.

In December 2011 my husband, Perry, and I were engaged in a 31 week survey of

the Bible, The Story. We brushed with the story of Elijah, a Biblical character we were familiar with but had not thought about in some time.

We were intimately reminded of Elijah’s sold out life of prophesy for God and his

human response of exhaustion and depression. We were struck by the fact that

Elijah saw God do incredible miracles. After a showdown with the prophets of Baal, the miracles culminated with Elijah’s water-drenched offering being burned

up by fire from Heaven. 1 Kings 17-19

This experience of God’s supremacy is reminiscent of the Touched Twice clinic

events where God provides beyond everyone’s imagination. People’s physical needs are met and then the Gospel message is shared. It is an emotional high for

Christ-followers, and it is often common for these same clinic volunteers to find

themselves exhausted and depressed a week after the dust settles.


After Elijah sees God on Mount Carmel, Queen Jezebel threatens his life. Instead

of standing in the authority of God, confident of His provision ... Elijah runs for his

life. After a day’s journey he collapses under a broom tree and falls asleep. While he sleeps, Elijah is touched twice. An angel comes and touches him, Elijah awakes,

and there is hot bread baking on coals and water to drink. After Elijah eats, the

angel encourages him to go back to sleep. He does. When the angel touches Elijah

a second time giving him directions from God, Elijah is able to hear and follow.

I believe that Elijah didn’t have the strength to hear from God when the angel

touched him the first time. He needed food and rest. I believe this human need is

revealed in Touched Twice United clinics – folks can’t hear the Gospel when their

tooth is aching or their hearts are hurting from unemployment. Only after the

earthly need is addressed is the human heart open to hear about Jesus, recognize God as the Provider.

The Elijah Project is Touched Twice for the soul. Are you feeling tired? Is your

heart is hurting from discouragement or abuse? Do you feel unappreciated after

tirelessly serving others? This workbook is designed for you, a sanctuary for your soul, a place where you can rest, recoup, and recover spiritually.

Andrea M. Polnaszek


Dedication In 1996 a small group of electrified people gathered together to discuss, plan, and

pray about what God had done through a little “Health Fair.” In the collective effort

that had yet to be named, everyone had experienced God as real and personal. We

had served many different needs ... in Christ’s name.

While we were bouncing ideas off each other, our very southern friend started to

bring us to Mark 8, the story where Jesus touches the blind man twice. In his slow

southern drawl he asked, “Why did Jesus touch the man twice? Was He running

low on power that day?”

This two touch example resonated with all of us: one touch to meet the physical,

the second touch to meet the spiritual need. Touched Twice United was born.

Countless people have been both the blessing and the blessed through the simple

goal of meeting human needs in Christ’s name.

Fast forward to January 2012.

The TTU Board of Directors had taken my Abraham-Isaac call seriously: if we had

not accomplished our goal of a clinic in every county in every state by 2011 we

would sacrifice the ministry back to God. While fasting and praying with our board members in the weeks preceding the January meeting God had me revisit 1 Kings

17-19. Elijah was a man anointed by God.

Unlike Noah and the Ark, Elijah didn’t receive a step by step blue print. Elijah

faced overwhelming odds in a land that was suffering a drought. All the people, including his king and queen, were against him and disillusioned with God. As the

well-told story unfolds, Elijah risks everything in faith, defeats the prophets of Baal

and brings the people back to God. 1 Kings 18

Jezebel then threatens Elijah and he runs away in fear. As he runs away into the wilderness he finds himself under a broom tree confessing that he is no better than

those who have come before him and that he would be better off dead. Right on the

heels of this mighty victory of God, Elijah feels shame, guilt, and fear. 1 Kings 19:1-4

During the past 15 years of following after Jesus I have witnessed so many of God’s champions repeat this pattern. Many a clinic coordinator has seen God’s

glory only to be chased by fear into hiding and retreat. Thank our God of two

touches and second chances as He gives us yet another example to follow!

All at once an angel, a messenger from God, touches Elijah and asks him to get up and eat. There prepared for him is water and warm bread. He eats and lays down

again to rest. The messenger comes a second time, touches Elijah and says, “Get up

and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 1 Kings 19:5-7


I had underestimated the tremendous emotional, physical, and spiritual energy it

takes to risk for God. I confessed that as a husband I didn’t account for how

difficult these past 15 years have been for Andrea. I confess that we embedded this underestimation into our TTU manual.

This is the next season for Touched Twice United. We want to anticipate the

human costs, then prepare and prevent as much burn-out as possible.

Within this book I pray that you will find the help you need to finish your journey

of meeting human needs in Christ’s name.

Executive Director TTU


There is power in our story. This is my story – a story of

serving and wondering and waiting. Your story and my

story are part of His greater story. The Bible tells the story of a people waiting to be delivered. Christ followers have

the same journey as the Israelites did, depicted in Genesis

and Exodus. We follow the same pattern of forgiveness,

redemption, erecting idols, then pulling them down and

repenting before a Holy God.


Your Story, My Story A few years ago I had a meet your Maker moment while looking in the mirror. I

woke up to my daily routine, stumbled down my stairs, put coffee on and

resentfully made my children’s lunches. I went to the bathroom and while washing

my hands I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I remember looking in the mirror

and thinking: “Where did all those lines come from?” My brow was furrowed. I tried to smile and a hard cracked expression appeared. I looked tired, lonely and

afraid.

My next series of thoughts were: “I don’t like who I am becoming” and “I wouldn’t

want to be married to me, or be one of my children.” The reality of my mental conversation left me limping away from the mirror.

The sad truth revealed that day was that I didn’t like who I was becoming. I had

been “giving for God” with a hope of getting something in return. I was giving with

“strings attached” and growing resentful when my wishes were not fulfilled. I was not a cheerful giver. I was bound by fear. I was afraid to be rejected. I was scared to

be “exposed” and humiliated. The results included fear of answering my telephone.

I was terrified of the criticism that surrounded me. I had allowed Satan to set up

residence in my soul in the form of shame. The enemy was puppeting my

movements. I would do anything to avoid criticism, so I was not able to be free or honest with who I was. I heard EVERYTHING as negative. Even the positives were

internally manipulated to say: you aren’t good enough.

I was living in shame of my own mistakes, the failings of my children, the

inadequacies of my husband, and the perception of our church. Rather than looking like a radiant redeemed follower of Jesus, I looked like the Samaritan beggar –

estranged, bruised, hurting, and alone.

Over the next few weeks I spent some time with God. I spent some time with my

reflection and compared it to the qualities God offered me in His Word.

The fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness,

goodness,

faithfulness,

gentleness

and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV excerpt


I posted the list of the fruit on my refrigerator. I took a step toward my girlfriends

and asked them to hold me accountable to heal. I was so fortunate to be received by

smiles, embraces and a safe place.

We began to read Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend’s book: Boundaries. We prayed for

my fear to be lifted and to live in God’s glorious abundance.

Months later, after developing some stamina again, I took an on-line class with Brené Brown, a researcher and social worker expert on shame. Through her

teaching I began to identify the signs of a bully and to develop soul care. I

cultivated some resilience and stopped getting “beat up” on the playground called

my life.

After taking the class, I reread 1 Kings 17-19. I was struck by Elijah’s story. Elijah

experienced the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob personally. He prophesied of

God’s great plan. He was courageous and when his bully arrived to taunt and

threaten him, Elijah became depressed, discouraged, and afraid. I was Elijah.

Walking through these chapters in the ancient Scripture, I saw God as My Protector and My Provider. The story strengthened my faith and gave order to my

journey. The story brought me hope!

There is power in our story. Your story and my story are part of His greater story.

The Bible tells the story of a people waiting to be delivered. Christ followers have the same journey as the Israelites did, depicted in Genesis and Exodus. We follow

the same pattern of forgiveness, redemption, erecting idols, then pulling them back

down and repenting before a Holy God.

In 1 Kings 17-19 we are transported into the journey of God’s prophet Elijah. I am encouraged to share part of my journey with you. We are in great company with

Elijah. Even a great prophet struggled, and became worn out. My prayer is that this

workbook will be an “angel touch” in your story.


Who am I? Activity 1: Express how you feel today. Use colors, images, and words.

Where are you holding your stress, anxiety, or frustration? Where do you feel

happy, loved, and cared for? What is on your mind and heart?


Story Activity 2: Tell your story. Use pictures, images, colors and words!


Who is Elijah? Elijah was a prophet, his name means "Yahweh is my God." He was

a prophet in the Kingdom of Samaria during the reign of Ahab in the

9th century BC. According to the Book of Kings Elijah defended the

worship of Yahweh over that of the more popular Baal, he raised the

dead, brought fire down from the sky, and was taken up in a whirlwind either accompanied by a chariot and horses of flame or

riding in it. Wikipedia

Elijah was a God-fearer living within a divided kingdom. The Israelites worshipped

many other gods. People had idols of all kinds that had pushed out the one true God. Elijah received a word from the LORD. First God told him to go to King Ahab

and deliver the message that a drought was coming. Next God directed Elijah to the

Kerwith Valley. There the ravens brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning and

evening, and he drank from the brook. The brook eventually dried up and God

directed Elijah to his next stop. We see Elijah enter a village and ask a woman to bring him a cup of water and a cake of bread. The woman responds that she doesn’t

have enough resources to make him bread. Elijah asks her to make him bread

anyway. She is obedient. The flour and oil in her jar never run out.

God continues to direct Elijah.

Elijah told the people that a drought was coming. Later he was the conduit for God

to show His power by incinerating the water-drenched offering and altar. He again

proclaimed that the people had walked away from God and it was time to come

back. Following the incredible miracle, the prophets of Baal were killed and the people believed in God.

After the idol blow-out on Mount Carmel, King Ahab’s bullying wife threatens

Elijah. He ends up running for his life until he collapses from exhaustion under a

broom tree in the desert. There an angel touches Elijah twice. The first touch awakens Elijah to a meal – water and warm bread. After he eats, the angel

encourages Elijah to go back to sleep. The next time the angels wakes Elijah, God

gives him his next direction. Elijah’s story demonstrates that God is the ultimate

Protector and Provider.

The God of Elijah, the same Protector and Provider, is available to us today!


The Brook Dries Up:

Necessary Endings

Elijah had a tremendous faith in God. When God spoke Elijah listened and obeyed.

He was told by God that a drought was going to come upon the Kingdom of

Samaria. He prophesied to King Ahab about the three year calamity that was to

come. After Elijah prophesied God directed him to the Kerwith Ravine where the ravens fed him bread and meat every morning and evening. Elijah drank from a

brook. God protected Elijah in the way He provided for him. The raven’s portions

were perfect. He had nothing left over so he was protected from wild animals

foraging for food. Scripture says that “sometime later” the brook dried up and God

directed Elijah to go to Zarephath of Sidon.

When those provisions ceased, God gave Elijah his next direction. God directed

him to a village and a widow ... there God provided Elijah’s next meal. God was

his Protector and Provider. It is fascinating to think of all the responses Elijah

could have had when the brook dried up. He might have been frustrated with God. He might have worried and become anxious. Elijah's model is powerful. He waited

on God and allowed God to provide. This story is a perfect example of a necessary

ending.

Dr. Henry Cloud has written a wonderful book called Necessary Endings that suggests just like a rose bush must be pruned in order to grow fuller, people need to

prune relationships and connections in order to be more useful for God.

Consider what God might be asking you to prune from your life in this season.


Endings Activity 3: Take a look at your life. Where has the brook dried up? Where are

resources scarce? Where is energy low? Where are relationships exhausting you?

What relationships in your life might need to end?

After writing these things down, take a moment to grieve and begin the process of

burying the old and planting the new.


What Have I Done Wrong?

The Problem with Shame

In Zarephath of Sidon, God commanded a widow to care for Elijah in a miraculous

way. When Elijah asked the widow for help, as God had instructed, she said that

she planned to return home and use her last oil and flour to make one more cake,

then she and her son would eat and die. Elijah said: “Don’t be afraid” and asked her to feed him.

The widow obeyed and fed Elijah. God as the Provider filled her jug of oil and the

container of flour. Scripture does not say that the ingredients were over flowing ...

instead it says that they never ran out. There was food for the widow, her son and Elijah every day!

While Elijah lived there the widow’s son became ill. Scripture says: “the boy was

so ill he had no breath left within him.”

Even after seeing God’s provision the widow was ashamed and accused Elijah:

“What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to

remind me of my sin and kill my son?” 1 Kings 17:18 NIV

The widow asked Elijah: Are you bringing judgment down on me for my past sins?

Satan is the author of shame. The shame did not come from Elijah or God. Satan’s

view is dark. It removes the Jesus filter. As redeemed Christ followers God sees

our imperfections through His Son’s blood sacrifice. By Jesus’ wounds we can be

seen fully by God. Satan can only use what we know. Satan does not see the future,

so he uses shame and haunting questions like: “What did I do wrong in my past?” to disarm our faith.

In Christ all things are new. He is our Light. God works all things together for the

good of those who are called according to His purposes. Philippians 2:13 NIV 1984

God is our Protector.

Elijah takes the boy to the roof and prays: “LORD my God, let this

boy’s life return to him!” 1 Kings 17:21 NIV

After he prayed, Elijah carried the boy down to his mother and said:

“Look, your son is alive!” 1 Kings 17:23 NIV

In that moment the widow not only sees God as her Provider, but her Protector.

The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.” 1 Kings 17:25 NIV


The Shame Trap Activity 4: The enemy is defeated and death couldn’t hold the widow’s son down.

Jesus conquers death and Satan is defeated. This is the truth. Satan lurks in our

world as the angel of darkness. Where is Satan lurking in your thoughts and

keeping you in bondage?

I invite you to prayer. Hold your hands upright, with your palms facing the ceiling.

Ask God to reveal where Satan is shaming you and keeping you trapped in a lie.

Then, with open hands and an open heart, release control to God.

Identify what you are holding too tightly:

Identify where you need to invite God to be your Protector and Provider:


Safe People:

Are There Any?

After three years of drought, which had produced famine in the land, the LORD

came to Elijah again and told him to present himself to King Ahab and tell him that

God would send rain on the land. Ahab had a trusted advisor named Obadiah. He

was a God-fearer and had protected hundreds of the LORD’s prophets when Jezebel was killing them off.

Elijah runs into Obadiah on his way to King Ahab.

As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, “Is it really

you, my lord Elijah?”

“Yes,” he replied. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’”

“What have I done wrong,” asked Obadiah, “that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to be put to death?” 1 Kings 18:7-9 NIV

Obadiah quickly changes from honor to fear. It seems strange that Satan uses

shame again, in the face of meeting one of God’s legendary prophets.

Obadiah recognizes Elijah as a prophet of God. He realizes God’s provision of a

safe person. This is remarkable since Obadiah has spent years working for the king

and queen who were not safe. They were killing the LORD’s people. Elijah asks

Obadiah to trust him as a safe person and be obedient, to present himself to an

unsafe person and announce God’s prophet.

Elijah said, “As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will

surely present myself to Ahab today.” 1 Kings 18:15 NIV

Recognizing God as both Protector and Provider will provide us with wisdom and protect us from unsafe people. Discernment is a difficult discipline. The world is

full of unsafe people. Discernment means recognizing signs of unsafe people. We

must exercise discipline to protect ourselves. With God’s strength we can guard our

hearts and minds, and live with unsafe people in the tenuous in-between.

Obedience means doing what the LORD asks and following His instructions whether the person we are working with is safe or not. We must trust that in our

obedience God will protect us.

Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend authored a wonderful book called Safe

People which walks us through frank, soul-searching discussion and practical steps for growth.


Recognizing Safe and Unsafe People Activity 5: List the characteristics of a good friend, a safe person.

Draw three concentric circles: the center is for your closest and safest relationships, the middle is for people who know you but not the most intimate details, and the

outer circle contains those who are acquaintances.

Conduct a quick evaluation of your relationships. Are the people at the center

nurturing your spirit, providing you safety and strengthening your relationship with God? Does anyone need to be moved: either closer to or farther from your heart?


The Idol Limp After a long time ... in the third year, God came to Elijah again and commanded

him to tell Ahab that the drought was about to end. When Ahab saw Elijah he

called him a “troublemaker for Israel.” There was no shame for Elijah. He quickly

responded that Ahab and his forefathers were the true troublemakers because they

had abandoned God’s commands and were following Baal. Elijah and the prophets of Baal had a showdown on Mount Carmel.

The prophets of Baal built an altar, tormented themselves. They called out to their gods, praying for fire. Nothing happened. All day the people watched the prophets

of Baal cut themselves attempting to get Baal’s attention.

Elijah came near to all the people and said, How long will you halt

and limp between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But

if Baal, then follow him. And the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21 AMP emphasis added

So they took the bull given them … and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, O Baal hear and answer us! But

there was no voice; no one answered. 1 Kings 18:26 AMP

As the prophets of Baal continued to bargain with their false gods they yelled

louder and they limped around the altar they had made.

Elijah made fun of the false prophets. He suggested that Baal was relieving himself

or on vacation. Later in the day Elijah asked for help to rebuild his altar. He took 12 stones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Elijah had a trench dug around his altar

and had the offering, the wood, and the trench drenched with water. Scripture says

the trench was filled to overflowing.

Elijah … prayed: “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, let it

be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your

servant ...” 1 Kings 18:36 NIV 1984

The offering was engulfed with flames directly from Heaven. After the sacrifice

was burned up, the people turned back to God.

“The LORD - he is God. The LORD - he is God.” And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 1 Kings 18:39, 41 NIV 1984 excerpt

God the Protector and Provider ... protected Elijah from the prophets of Baal, from

the crowd and from the angry king. He provided stamina and clear thinking for

Elijah. He also provided fire from heaven to show His existence.


Limping Activity 6: Consider what you put your faith in. What are your idols? What do you

trust? What things do you hang onto, even though you believe in God? i.e., job,

money, kids, spouse, figure, retirement. List your idols here.

Elijah asks the people: How long will you “limp” between two different options?

He asks: Follow God or Follow Baal. Where are you limping and leaning on a

crutch? An idol? How are you trying to take care of yourself?

Take a moment to reflect on how God has protected and provided for you this

week. List even the little things, i.e., the sun, a home, a warm meal, a friend.

Now move your thoughts from the smaller provisions and list the bigger ones, i.e.,

life, health, family, a job, knowing God.


What Do I Feel? As the story begins to conclude, Samaria has been in a three year drought. Imagine

a sky without clouds for more than 1000 days. God tells Elijah that the drought will

end. Elijah sends a servant out seven times to look for rain. Seven is a perfect

number. God uses it as a number to symbolize completion. Seven times the servant

rides to the edge of a cliff to look for signs of rain.

And at the seventh time the servant said, “A cloud as small as a

man’s hand is arising out of the sea.” 1 Kings 18:44 AMP excerpt

I live in Wisconsin where we experience a wide variety of weather. For most of the winter our sky is cloud covered. Snow clouds have

a very distinct look. Midwestern residents can recognize what

weather might be coming due to the type of clouds in the sky. It is

difficult if not impossible for me to imagine a cloudless sky.

But for Elijah and those living in Israel at the time, the arid climate and

drought had produced a cloudless sky for almost three years. Imagine

the servant riding back and forth six times, watching for a rain cloud. He

probably thought it was impossible, far fetched. But the very nature of a

servant is obedient, so he followed the command. The servant probably thought it was not possible to see the cloudless sky change. And then ...

upon his seventh trip he sees a cloud the size of a man’s hand.

Once the cloud rolled in ... the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy

rain came on the land. Ahab rode off toward Jezreel. Ahab no doubt sent word to his queen, Jezebel, with a report of all that had happened. Jezebel is known for

bringing Baal worship to Samaria. She had hundreds of God’s prophets killed. By

this time Jezebel is probably seeing, feeling, and hearing the rain. She is most likely

enraged by what the LORD has done through His prophet Elijah. Jezebel sends one

of her messengers to Elijah – with a threat to kill him.

The Bible says: “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” 1 Kings 19:3 NIV

After all of God’s miraculous provision, Elijah became afraid. He asked God to

allow him to die and let him go be with his ancestors.

Elijah … 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 Kings 19:3-4 NIV

Elijah questioned God, the proven Protector and Provider he had been following. He ran and ran until he was worn out and fell asleep under a broom tree.


Fear Activity 7: Express how you experience fear. Use colors, images, and words.

Where do you hold your anxiety, stress, frustration, or anger? Where do you feel

unappreciated or abused? What is on your mind and heart?


Like Elijah:

Scared, Lonely, Exhausted

There are four basic categories of feelings: anger, sadness, happiness and fear. Take

a moment to look at the feeling faces on page 26.

scared disappointed disgusted

Activity 8: Draw a picture or list words that describe how you feel when you – like Elijah – become frightened, scared, lonely, and exhausted.

Elijah was afraid when he heard Jezebel’s death threat. What evokes fear in you?

When do you feel bullied and become afraid? How do you respond to fear?

What do you look like when you feel afraid?


Hopelessness

Activity 9: Express how you experience hopelessness. Use colors, images, and words.

Where do you hold your sadness, misery, guilt, disappointment, or grief? Where do

you feel tired or discouraged? What is on your mind and heart?


Like Elijah:

Plunged into the Depths of Sadness

Activity 10: Elijah moved from elation to fear and into such a thorough depression

that he was ready to die! Reminisce about a time when you saw the Power of God

then plunged into the depths of sadness in a short period of time.

Describe a time when you felt hopeless.

Elijah complained to God ... “Just come back, I’m done here!”

Have you ever complained to God? Describe a time when you gave up hope.

bored

confused

miserable


Feeling Faces confident ecstatic happy joy ful

griev ing miserable sad

bored guilty disappointed negativ e

aggressiv e angry disgusted

enraged confused horrified scared

surprised

aggressive

angry

bored

confident

confused

disappointed

disgusted

ecstatic

enraged

griev ing

guilty

happy

horrified

joyful

miserable

negative

sad

scared

surprised


Name it. Claim it. Tame it.

There are four main groups of emotions: Anger, Sadness, Happiness, and Fear.

Developing a feeling vocabulary is an important self-care tool to allow us to balance between walling off our emotions and being overwhelmed by our emotions. Some say “to

name it, is to claim it, is to tame it.” I believe that by developing our feeling vocabulary

and actively identifying how we feel (not how others are “making” us feel) will help us to live in submission to God and not at the whim of Satan.

Anger Sadness Happiness Fear

frustration grief joy terror

aggressive

angry

bored

confident

confused

disappointed

disgusted

ecstatic

enraged

griev ing

guilty

happy

horrified

joyful

miserable

negative

sad

scared

surprised


The Broom Tree Elijah cried out in desperation to God, then fell asleep underneath a broom tree.

Broom trees were large juniper trees, common in arid climates. The pictures look

like rigid willow trees with arch-shaped hard branches.

Elijah slept under the broom tree until an angel touched him. The first touch was provision. When he woke up there was bread and water at his head. He ate and

drank, and the angel encouraged him to go back to sleep. 1 Kings 19:4-6

A key to emotional stability is rest ad nourishment, never allowing yourself to

become too tired or too hungry.

Next the angel touched Elijah a second time. He woke up and God gave Elijah his

next instruction. 1 Kings 19:7-9

Elijah’s story mirrors all of our stories. We hear from God. We become zealous to do His work. We experience God, seeing Him provide and protect us. We are

overwhelmed by His glory, majesty, and many gifts. Elijah had a few very unique

experiences for his time. He heard God’s voice. He had faith in the voice and he

obeyed the directions. He saw God move and do miraculous acts. And even after

seeing God work supernaturally, Elijah became so exhausted that he became afraid. He then became overwhelmed by fear and could not see God as his Protector.

In fact Elijah asked God to let him die.

Instead, our gracious God provided Elijah rest, food, and new direction.


Rest Activity 11: Elijah was led to a broom tree for rest. A broom tree has full branches

that can envelope you in shaded protection. Take a few moments to think about

your broom tree, your place of rest. What does your safe place look like? Where do

you go to recover and rejuvenate, seek shelter and cover?

When was the last time that you visited your broom tree?

Take a look at the Who am I? pictures you drew in our previous activities (pgs

10, 22, 24). Evaluate where you need a broom tree. What part of your soul

needs care? Choose one action step to care for your servant soul today.


Identify your broom tree. Label each branch with a safe place, or provision God

gives that helps you care for your servant soul.


Hearing God’s Voice Elijah spent 40 days traveling to Mount Horeb.

Once at the mountain the LORD told Elijah to stand and wait for God to move.

Elijah went into a cave and spent the night.

And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here,

Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God

Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your

altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only

one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

Take note that Elijah wanted credit for his service. He identifies and reminds God

of his service. He assumes the worst rather than remembering God’s lifelong

Provision and Protection.

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of

the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and

powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks

before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind

there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he

pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of

the cave. 1 Kings 19:9-13 NIV excerpt

God was not in the wind. God was not in the earthquake. God was not in the fire.

After the wind, the earthquake and the fire subsided there was a gentle whisper.

God chose to speak to Elijah in a whisper. We live in a fast moving culture, one

that has instant information. We are bombarded with noise. God is not typically in the noise and clutter of our lives. In 1 Kings 19:12, God speaks in “a still small

voice.” We often look for more, bigger and jumbo sizes, while God chooses the

weak, innocent and broken to deliver His message. We keep busy to block out the

fear of our brokenness. In the quiet we are confronted with ourselves. It is often

scary to slow down, clean out the clutter, and be still.

In the quiet comfort of God’s arms we see His Protection and Provision.


Quiet Activity 12: Listen for God. Clean out the clutter, the noise in your head. Spend

some time to identify God’s voice amid the clutter in your life, so you can hear

God. Identify God’s voice by praying for Him to speak to your heart. God will

speak in a language unique to the way you were created.

How has God protected and provided for you?


Resources The Bible New International Version (NIV) © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica The Message (MSG) © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 Eugene Peterson Amplified Bible (AMP) © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by Lockman Foundation New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica

Activity 1 excerpted from Mental Health and Substance Abuse Curriculum for Laity

submitted by Maria del Carmen Uceda-Gras, Alice Graham, Milagro Grullon, Andrea Polnaszek, Sharon Topping and Ashley Wennerstrom. Pending publication, 2011

The Message of Elijah for Kids: What’s in the Bible , Volume 6: The Nation Divided: Kings and Chronicles created by Phil Vischer

Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward by Dr. Henry Cloud www.drcloud.com/resources

Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren’t by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend www.cloudtownsend.com

Boundaries: When to say YES, When to say NO; to take control of your life by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend www.cloudtownsend.com

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown www.brenebrown.com

Touch Stone by Andrea M. Polnaszek Touched Stone chronicles the founders’ journey of faith, frustration and fruit during the early years of Touched Twice www.touchedtwiceunited.org

The Elijah Project: My Protector, My Provider by Andrea M. Polnaszek 12 Jan 2013 with illustrations by Christina Rambo, edited by Renee Wurzer,

with cover photo by Igor Stepovik, 123rf.com

We invite you to learn more about Touched Twice United at our website:

www.touchedtwiceunited.org

For more information about having the author speak

to your organization please contact:

Andrea M. Polnaszek, L.C.S.W. [email protected] devotedtointegrity.blogspot.com

715 379-0826

www.touchedtwiceunited.org

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