Living Without Lack

01/29/25 • 31 min

Today's speaker is Dr. James Hilton, Lead Pastor of Journey Church in Orange City, FL. Speaking from Psalm 23, Dr. Hilton teaches that when we go through trials, we must remember God is preparing us to be more like Christ.

Previous Episode

How Did I Get Here?

Finding Healing in the Struggle: Lessons from Elijah in 1 Kings 19

Life often feels overwhelming. Everything on the outside can appear fine, yet inwardly, you’re hurting. You’re doing everything right, and still, the weight of life presses down. What do you do when the emotional toll of trauma, fear, and isolation takes over, and you don't know how to move forward? In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah faced just this kind of struggle. After a mountaintop victory, he found himself running for his life from Queen Jezebel and consumed with fear, self-doubt, and loneliness. Elijah had done everything right, but he was still hurting. His story offers powerful lessons for anyone struggling with mental health and emotional pain.

Key Points from Elijah's Story:

You Can't Fix It Alone

Elijah’s fear and exhaustion led him to isolate himself in a cave, overwhelmed by the thought that he was the only one left faithful to God. When God asked him, “What are you doing here?” (1 Kings 19:9), Elijah’s response was filled with despair. Just as Elijah couldn’t face his crisis alone, neither can we. We need to invite God into both our hearts and our thoughts, processing our trauma and emotions in His presence.

The Danger of Isolation

In verses 3-4, Elijah runs 100 miles, seeking physical, spiritual, and emotional isolation. Isolation is often a response to pain, but it fuels anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. God never designed us to walk alone through our struggles. Whether it's pushing others away or retreating into ourselves, isolation keeps us from God's healing plan. Remember, God didn’t leave Elijah in the cave — He met him where he was.

What You Do with Your Emotions Matters

Elijah’s emotional response led him to feelings of failure and hopelessness. He couldn’t control the events in his life, but he could control his response to them. God didn’t just tell Elijah to get over his fear and despair; He provided rest and nourishment first (1 Kings 19:5-8). Emotions are valid, but allowing them to dictate our actions leads to destructive patterns. What we choose to do with our emotions shapes our paths. Don’t let fear or despair make your decisions for you.

You Are Never Alone

Despite Elijah’s deep sense of isolation, God was always with him, even in his darkest moments. God provided for Elijah physically, emotionally, and spiritually. God’s presence is constant, even when we feel alone. Healing doesn’t always come instantly, but the process of restoration begins with acknowledging that God is with us, and He will lead us forward. Elijah was called to move forward, and so are we.

Action Steps:

Process Your Emotions: Don’t rush to “fix” your feelings. Allow yourself the space to process, mourn, and heal. Invite Jesus into those thoughts and emotions.
Don’t Isolate: Reach out to others who can offer support. Even when you feel like shutting down, remind yourself that God designed us for community.
Reframe Your Thoughts: Negative self-talk can trap you in a cycle of despair. Take your thoughts captive and focus on what God has already done for you. His promises are greater than your circumstances.
Remember You’re Not Alone: When things seem hopeless, remind yourself that God is always with you. He’s already walking beside you through the journey of healing.

Elijah’s story reminds us that God doesn’t leave us to navigate life’s challenges alone. Even in the darkest moments, He’s working behind the scenes, guiding us back to His peace and purpose. If you’re struggling today, remember healing starts with acknowledging God’s presence and letting Him lead you out of the cave. You are not alone. Healing is possible — take it one step at a time, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.

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An Unashamed Worker

Endurance and Faithfulness: Paul’s Urgent Message to Timothy

In 2 Timothy 2, we find some of the Apostle Paul’s final recorded words — a powerful and urgent call to his young protégé, Timothy. Imprisoned in a Roman dungeon, Paul knew his time was running out. His message to Timothy wasn’t just about survival; it was a call to thrive in ministry and stay true to God’s Word, even in the face of difficulty. For us today, Paul’s words carry vital lessons about endurance, faithfulness, and the careful handling of Scripture.

1. Be Accurate with God’s Word

Paul begins his urgent message by warning Timothy to be accurate in his handling of the Scriptures. In verses 14-15, he says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” The accuracy of our interpretation matters. Paul cautioned against false teaching and misinterpretation of God’s Word, emphasizing that we should not fall into the trap of bending Scripture to fit personal agendas or cultural trends. As Augustine wisely stated, “If you believe what you like in the gospel and reject what you don’t like, you are not truly following God's Word.” We are called to handle the Bible with care, recognizing that it is a powerful tool for transformation — one that must be used faithfully, not carelessly.

2. Handle the Word of God with Precision

In verse 15, Paul urges Timothy to “cut it straight.” This means interpreting Scripture with precision and skill, staying true to the intended meaning of each passage. The Bible is a sword, and just as a sword must be handled with care, so must the Word of God. Misusing Scripture isn’t a harmless mistake — it can have far-reaching consequences. We must study the Bible diligently, recognizing that each passage has one primary meaning and interpretation matters. Paul’s reminder is clear: don’t let lazy or careless handling of God’s Word shape your faith or the faith of others. It takes effort, but it’s worth it.

3. Do Your Best to Be Diligent

Paul tells Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved” (2 Timothy 2:15). Being faithful to God’s Word requires more than a passing glance — it requires diligence, effort, and dedication. This doesn’t mean perfection, but it does mean taking the study of Scripture seriously, seeking to understand it deeply, and applying it faithfully. Staying motivated in our spiritual growth can be tough, but Paul encourages us to stay focused and press on. The goal isn’t just to understand Scripture but to apply it to our lives, living in a way that pleases God. The Lord is our boss in life, and we want to one day hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

4. Endure and Remain Faithful

Paul’s final message to Timothy and to us in this chapter is clear: endure. Life will bring hardship, and the Christian walk isn’t always easy. But Paul urges Timothy to stay strong and faithful, even in difficult times. He reminds him to remember the people who taught him the truths of Scripture, and to hold on to those truths no matter what challenges come his way. The Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint. We are called to endure through trials, doubts, and suffering. But as we endure, we also grow. And as we remain faithful, we become the kind of people the next generation can look to for wisdom and strength.

Action Steps:

Study God’s Word with Care: Make it a priority to dive into Scripture, interpreting it accurately and thoughtfully. Don’t rush through it; take time to understand its true meaning.
Handle Scripture with Precision: Commit to “cutting it straight” in your interpretation and application of God’s Word. Be diligent and accurate.
Stay Diligent and Faithful: Do your best in your spiritual journey. Put in the effort to grow and remain faithful to God’s calling on your life.
Endure in the Face of Hardship: Life won’t always be easy, but Paul’s example shows us that endurance and faithfulness through tough times are part of the journey.

Paul’s final words to Timothy remain a blueprint for us today: Be faithful, be diligent, and handle God’s Word with care. As we endure and press on, we honor God and set a faithful example for those who follow.