“Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left as a prophet of Yahweh; ….. 1 Kings 18:22
Elijah is one of those prophets that I can relate to. Maybe not the miracles he did, but certainly his unjustified view that he was all alone in his circumstances. It is a lie the enemy often whispers and sometimes shouts at us.
He uses this lie “I only” to isolate us and make us stay silent in our need to belong. If I am the only one, no one can possibly understand where I am at emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or physically. If I am the only one, any excuse I tell myself about the circumstances I feel stuck in can not be reasoned away. There is no one who can provide me hope in the hopelessness, because I am the only one.
I only can understand the pain. I only know the desperation of being the only one to feel this way. I only see the darkness that surrounds me. I only hear the voices screaming how alone I am in my plight. With all of my senses, my thoughts and my emotions, I only am alone.
And yet, Jesus promised to never leave or forsake us. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”” Hebrews 13:5
He promises to comfort us. “who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4
We do not suffer alone. “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:9
There is no temptation we face that isn’t common to others. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
I only, does not exist. We are one in Christ. Romans 12:5 There is only we. We need to allow others to walk along side us. Hebrews 10:25 We need to carry one another’s burdens Galatians 6:2 . We were never meant to do life alone, and when we start to believe the I only lie, we tend to isolate instead of surround ourself with people who will lift us up and encourage us.
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