The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’
He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
1 Kings 19:7-8
Elijah has given up. The prophet fears for his life and has nowhere to turn. He lies down under a broom tree and prays that he might die. His own prophecy has led him to this desperate point, and he can’t take it anymore. In his weakest hour, severely weakened by hunger, God provides him with food.
Have you ever been as hopeless as Elijah?
The following account is something I have never shared publicly before. In 2009, I ran out of food and money. Addiction, combined with an untreated mental health diagnosis, brought me to a point where I could no longer take care of myself. Every single cupboard in my apartment was empty. The only edible thing in the house was a package of graham cracker crumbs. I ate them, feeling deflated and hopeless over what my life had become. This was rock bottom.
I must never forget this moment.
I am grateful that I had family looking out for me. After dropping off the map, getting my phone disconnected, showing no interest in family gatherings, and defiantly relapsing into active addiction, my family members still reached out. My buzzer would ring, and a family member would be at my front door unannounced, ready to get me out of the apartment, feed me, and make sure I was alive. These visits weren’t interventions. They weren’t trying to get me to go to twelve-step meetings. Never once during a family welfare check did they try to get me to see a psychiatrist. There was only one goal: food.
I must remain grateful for how fortunate I am.
Across cultures, religions, folklore, and borders, food is an essential component of spirituality. Gratitude for what sustains us holds therapeutic and transformative value for many. The absence of food heightens our awareness of reliance on a higher power—or at least, that’s what I believe happened in my case.
I was hungry once—just for a moment. It was fleeting. I have spent most of my life knowing that others live without food security. Knowing this, I feel called to live my life with gratitude for what I do have. Today, for a moment, I hope we can all do the same as we pray.
Providing spirit. This is an unjust world with many longing for sustenance. Turn our thoughts to those who have no food. Inspire us to act in gratitude.
AMEN
8 Responses
Seth, thank you for your Gratitude Series articles. There is a tendency, especially in the midst of troubled waters, to forget to pray prayers of gratitude to our Lord. It isn’t easy to see anything good when our lives may be so sad. It helps to have guidance to teach us how to recognize the good, and be thankful for God’s presence with us at all times, even the darkest. Your lived insight gives depth and poignancy to the issues of mental health and substance use challenges, when not addressed. If daily basic needs such as food are not met, it can be hard to think clearly, or to even imagine a glimmer of hope. You learned this the hard way, but your insight gives shared understanding in your passion to help others who need that hope. Your perspective is appreciated.
Thank you Sherri! I appreciate your feedback. You articulate this issue in ways I never thought possible.
Gratitude is a matter of attitude. I try every day to make sure that I am grateful for all that God has given me and my family. Attitude also determines altitude. The altitude that me and my family enjoy with God’s grace.
Thank you Alan I always appreciate your feedback!
Three times in my life, I suffered with peaks of major depression before I was professionally diagnosed, placed on medication, and supported with psychotherapy. Until then, each episode had became worse, resulting in suicidal ideations. It was when I was at my lowest point that I seemed out of touch with God. I even found perfectly good food that had been thrown away in the trash. However, I have received consistent help from several sources and have been thriving for many years now in the ELCA and in my community.
You are truly a blessing, Pastor Seth!
Don! You are a blessing! I am so grateful that you are sharing this so openly. Your story is exactly what needs to be shared.
Doing a gratitude list is instrumental for me. As an addict with mental health issues it’s so easy to go down that rabbit hole. With new sponsees I have them text me 3 things they’re grateful for, it gets them used to making contact with someone in recovery. The nice thing is you can do a gratitude list anywhere at anytime.
Wendy. Thank you for the comment. I appreciate your input. Anytime… anywhere indeed!