I felt giddy as I left the meeting with my customer. If my 180-lb. frame could have floated; I’m sure it would have.
I had just made the biggest sale of my career as a young sales manager. The whole process took months, but I finally closed the deal.
Victory! I am the greatest salesman ever! Let’s go out and celebrate my success, I said to my wife.
Before the ink was dry on the sales agreement, another major customer called and canceled their order.
Defeat. I am an idiot. I should never have gone into sales I said to myself as I sat curled up in a ball in the corner of my office.
I went from victory and an emotional high, to defeat and an emotional pit in the space of two days.
After that defeat, it took several weeks to rebuild my confidence. As my confidence returned, I reclaimed my title as the greatest salesman ever. At least for a little while, until the next defeat came along!
Life is like that, isn’t it? We often go from victory on the mountain top to the agony of defeat.
From Victory to Defeat
Several Bible characters went from victory to defeat, breaking down and burning out. We can learn from all of them and one of my favorites is the story of Elijah.
The Prophecy
Elijah bursts on the scene in 1 Kings 17. Ahab was a wicked king who led the people of God into worshipping false Gods. Elijah confronted King Ahab saying there will be no rain in the land for three years unless Ahab repented and returned to God.
After giving Ahab God’s prophecy, Elijah retreated from public life. God told Elijah to go live in a ravine where God provided food and water for Elijah every day. Finally, in the third year of the drought, God told Elijah to go back and confront Ahab again.
The Victory
Elijah confronted Ahab and challenged him to a contest to see whose god was most powerful, Baal, the god Ahab was worshipping or the God of the Israelites.
Ahab had 850 priests of false gods meet Elijah on Mount Carmel. The contest was simple. The priests of Ahab built an altar, put a bull on it, and called out for their god to send down fire to burn the offering. But nothing happened.
Then Elijah built an altar, put the bull as an offering on it, poured water all over it, and then called out to God. Immediately, God sent fire that burned the offering and the altar.
All the people realized the Lord is God. At Elijah’s command, the people executed all the priests of Baal. And because the people believed in God, God brought rain into the land that day.
The Defeat
When Ahab heard the news and told his wife Jezebel what had happened on Mt. Carmel, Jezebel sent a message to Elijah saying she would have Elijah killed by the next day!
When he heard the news, Elijah was afraid. He left his servants behind and ran into the desert to get away from Jezebel.
Underneath a tree, a defeated and depressed, Elijah thought he was the only one of God’s prophets left, and he had failed at getting all the people to return to God. Elijah prayed for God to kill him.
From Defeat to Restoration
But God wasn’t done with Elijah. God spent some time comforting and encouraging Elijah. Then, God gave Elijah instructions to appoint a new king over Israel to replace Ahab. He was also to appoint Elisha as a prophet to the people of Israel.
Elijah had gone from an emotional high after defeating the priests of Baal, to the pits of depression when he learned of Jezebel’s threat against his life. But God met with Elijah, comforted him, restored him, and gave him a new ministry to complete.
Lesson for Leaders
Above all, Elijah was a great prophet of God. Elijah had witnessed God’s power in withholding rain for three years and in the battle against the priests of Baal. He had experienced God’s miraculous care in providing him food and water. But now, amid defeat and depression, Elijah needed to feel God’s presence and comfort. He needed a renewed sense of purpose.
It turns out Elijah was not so different from the rest of us, was he?
After an adrenalin pumping victory, it is not unusual to experience a letdown. In Elijah’s case, he felt as though he was fighting the battle alone. He forgot for a moment the power of God who had just given him victory.
Next, he was threatened by Jezebel and ran away afraid. Again, forgetting the power of God in his life.
But, sitting alone in the desert God came to Elijah and comforted him. As Elijah felt God’s presence and love his spirits were restored. God was not disappointed with Elijah. God was not done with him. In fact, God gave Elijah an important new mission.
And that, leaders, is the lesson for us. No matter how defeated, alone, or abandoned you feel God is right there with you. He is the still, small voice urging you to get up and carry on. God is not done with you. He has more work for you to do.
So, get up, dust yourself off, and get back at whatever work God has called you to do!
Discussion Questions
These questions can serve as a valuable framework for a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the article and how its insights and perspectives apply to our lives today.
- Have you ever experienced a significant shift from a state of achievement or victory to one of defeat or setback? How did this transition affect your mindset and motivation?
- Reflecting on the story of Elijah, a biblical character who experienced both victory and defeat, what lessons can we learn about the emotional challenges leaders face in their journeys? How does the presence of a higher power or a sense of purpose impact their ability to bounce back?
- In times of defeat or setbacks, why do leaders sometimes forget their past successes or underestimate their capabilities? Can you share any personal experiences or examples of leaders who faced similar struggles?
- How important is it for leaders to find comfort and reassurance during challenging times? What strategies or practices can help leaders reconnect with their inner strength and regain confidence in their abilities?
- Based on the story of Elijah, how can leaders overcome feelings of defeat, loneliness, or self-doubt? How can they rediscover their purpose, embrace resilience, and find new opportunities for growth in their leadership journeys?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you experienced cycles of victory followed by defeat and the emotional lows of a breakdown? Did you feel separated from God or close to Him?
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Category: Personal | Courage/Risk Taking
