1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
After the miracle of fire on the altar and the sending of rain, Elijah fled for his life from Jezebel into the southern desert under a tree. He was extremely discouraged with life, so much so that he wanted to die. He asked the Lord to take his life. After the exhilaration of seeing the victory of God over Baal, he was threatened with death, fled into the desert, and sunk into the depths of discouragement and despair. We would say he was desperately depressed.
Then an angel appeared to him, touching him and telling him to arise and eat supernaturally prepared food twice. Such food would strengthen him for a 40-day fasting journey to Mt. Horeb (Sinai). This appearance encouraged him to keep going, to keep living.
It can happen to us, too, that after a highlight experience and an evil threat that we sink down and become discouraged, maybe not always to wish for death, but discouragement happens nonetheless. We need, and we can receive, an encouraging word from God, with which He touches our spirit and we are revived. Discouragement can come upon us at any time, even out of the blue. Therefore, we maintain a strong faith relationship with Jesus, and we are regularly touched by the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. The Lord renews our spirit and gives fresh life to prevent and cure discouragement. If we hear the Gospel weekly and repent and pray daily we may not even notice when discouragement comes to tempt us.