Even the strong get tired.
Elijah wasn’t some rookie prophet trying to find his footing. He was seasoned, powerful, and had just called down fire from heaven. He stood toe-to-toe with false prophets and watched God move in undeniable ways. But shortly after, we find him under a broom tree, asking God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4).
That moment always makes me pause.
How does someone go from spiritual fire to emotional burnout so quickly?
The truth is—even the strong get tired.
Even the boldest believers break down.
We like to highlight the miracles and mountaintop moments of Elijah, but this moment under the tree is sacred too. It’s where God meets the prophet not with a rebuke, but with rest. With food. With gentleness.
There’s something deeply human about Elijah’s breakdown. I think many of us have been there—in ministry, in marriage, in manhood. Doing everything we know how to do, yet still feeling empty, afraid, or alone.
I’ll be honest. I’ve had my broom tree moments. Seasons where I didn’t feel like pushing anymore. Times I showed up strong in front of people but sat in silence with God. Times I wanted to quit—not because I didn’t love the calling, but because I didn’t feel capable anymore.
What strikes me in Elijah’s story is that God never disqualified him for being weary.
He didn’t say, “You should be stronger than this.”
Instead, He sent an angel with food and rest—because God knows healing comes before direction.
Elijah wanted to quit. But God wasn’t done.
He told Elijah, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (1 Kings 19:7, NIV)
That verse feels like God’s way of saying, “I see you. I know you’re tired. But I’m not leaving you here.”
Some of us are praying for breakthroughs while quietly battling burnout.
We’re asking God for vision when what we really need is rest.
We’re looking for the next assignment, but God is waiting for us to heal first.
There’s a lesson in Elijah’s breakdown: You don’t have to be okay to be called. You just have to be honest.
So if you’re in a moment where quitting feels closer than continuing, take this as a reminder:
God still meets you under the tree.
Not with shame, but with care.
Not with pressure, but with peace.
Because sometimes, what looks like the end… is just a pause before the next chapter.
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