“Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” 1 Kings 19;5-6
“Sherry, is something wrong with me?” Pinged the inbox message on my phone as we travelled home on the last leg of our Guatemala mission trip.
Possibilities International Guatemala March Break Trip 2017 http://www.iam1ru.com
It was a heartfelt message from one of the young women on the team. She expressed how her emotions were up and down ever since the moment we left that beautiful country. She was asking if what she was feeling was ‘normal’.
I let her know that I was feeling the same as her. Todd and I had just visited with my son and his girlfriend on the way home from the airport and the first thing out of Brandon’s mouth was, “Mom you look so tired!” and boy, was he right! There truly are legitimate reasons why experiencing weakness after a mountaintop moment is normal.
ELIJAH COMING DOWN FORM THE MOUNTAINTOP MOMENT
This portion of scripture comes from the recounting of Elijah after his triumph over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel where God used Elijah in a most profound way. Elijah showed the people God’s power when he called down fire on the altar built for God. As the fire burnt up the offering the prophets of Baal were defeated, but right after that Elijah crashes in fear and succumbs to depression. He was taken out by the after-effects of a mountaintop moment.
Years ago I was intrigued by the Discovery TV series Everest: Beyond The Limit.1 I learned that more people die coming down from Mount Everest than do reaching the peak.2
[tweetthis]More people die coming down from Mount Everest than do reaching the peak.[/tweetthis]
There are physical, emotional and spiritual reasons why our bodies respond this way because, God made us body, soul and spirit.
Physically, your body has been releasing adrenaline. When ‘climbing the mountain’ you need it to keep you going, especially when you’re not getting enough sleep. By the time you stop, your body is physically drained from the adrenaline rush. It takes time to recover. Emotionally, mountaintop experiences cause such rise and falls in serotonin, dopamine and endorphins that your body can be depleted of these resources too. Add to that when we step out to do something great for God the enemy doesn’t like it and wants to add to the natural effects.
REST, EAT AND DRINK
Elijah needed to refresh his body before his soul and spirit could be restored. So do you! Don’t neglect the practical. Understand why experiencing weakness after a mountaintop moment is normal and follow God’s directions for recuperation: Rest, eat healthy food and drink water to refresh both your body and soul.
PRAYER
Father…I thank You for calling me to do great and exciting things! Help me to grow in understanding of how You created me to function as body, soul and spirit. You don’t want me to feed one and neglect another. Give me wisdom to know when to rest and refresh so I will stay strong in You! In Jesus Name…Amen
If you think you may be struggling with clinical depression or anxiety, check out my MENTAL HEALTH page for some guidance and links to great resources.
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Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1 Accessed 2017-03-19
https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/everest/videos/everest-beyond-the-limit-summit-gridlock/
2 Accessed 2017-03-19
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/news-blog/death-on-mount-everest-the-perils-o-2008-12-10/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/203790-what-happens-during-an-adrenaline-rush/
https://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_crash_and_recovery_cycle.asp
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAYCheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAYCoffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAYHeart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAYDance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos! I’m glad your trip was fruitful. There is so much truth to the resting after our adrenals have been stretched. I didn’t do that in the past and wound up with adrenal fatigue. I shared that with you before, but thanks for the reminder. This week I’m cutting back on some blogger duties to recharge. I pray you enjoy your rest. 🙂
Kelly,
You’re one wise chick! Knowing when to slow down is wisdom at it’s best. Praying that God will recharge your batteries so that you will be filled with power from on high to fulfill the calling He has on your life.
Love ya 🙂
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Sherry,
Just the title of your post intrigued me and then when I read it I found tears streaming down my face. I keep thinking to myself, why am I so tired now. Things are going well.
The mountain top theory may not be quite the same, but I see a similarity. I have walked through the trenches over the last 12 years with family members with mental health challenges. I have been in place I never imagined, learned to do things I would have never thought I was capable of. Life has been hard beyond difficult, yet today it isn’t, and I find myself tired and baffled by it. Don’t get me wrong we still struggle, but we are not in daily crises like in the past.
I think I am coming down the mountain on the other side and now I need some additional care. It is nice to know it is somewhat “normal” to have these feelings.
Thank you for your beautiful post.
Maree
Maree,
I get what you mean about the opposite of the backside of a mountaintop moment. You are totally normal in your feelings. I think sometimes during tough seasons you keep going because you just have to, and then when you’re not having to keep strong in the battle, you crash. I do believe the same is true about how your body would react because during those tough times your body is running on adrenaline quite often. The adrenaline rushes lead to adrenaline crashes. I’ve experienced that in my life too. Sometimes we Christians forget that we’re body, soul and spirit. We need to be taking care of ALL of us, not just the spiritual. If you’ve been praying and still feel that way then maybe it’s physical. If you take care of the body issues and you’re still feeling that way, then maybe it’s spiritual. Praying God gives you the gift of discernment to distinguish between the two 🙂
Much love,
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
I love your insight on this, Sherry. I remember a wonderful morning of ministry and then coming home completely drained. Thank you for equipping me for the next time. ((Hugs)) to you, sweet friend.
Crystal,
Thanks for your comment sweet friend 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Hi Sherry!
We met this aft while I was buying a bracelet & book (Women’s Conference. Gateway church in Trail). I was the one who broke down while you signed my book, lol. Anyhoo, I came across this post & Wow!! 2 yrs ago my 2 older kids & I were part of a Guatemalan missions trip. Huge, exciting buildup & prep. Successful, amazing trip. Got home & started falling apart. More of life’s garbage happened. Back into depression & etc etc. I never did any rest/recuperation. Reading your post & thinking back it makes more sense. Thankyou for sharing this! (& Thank-you for the hug & prayer ❤)
Leigh,
I’m so glad to hear from you. So glad God connected us. I wish we had had more time to talk. I know Water In The Desert will lead you to the source of refreshing you need because it’s full of scripture. I don’t think you were there at the Saturday night service when I shared about a women’s trip I’m leading to Guatemala in February? We’re going to be doing women’s events across 5 or 6 towns, building a home for a single mom and her family, and visiting a school. Hoping you get rehydrated and restored so you can join us 🙂 I’ll be posting about it within this next week. Just confirming a few details.
Be Blessed & Refreshed,
~Sherry
xoxo