Overcoming Common Leadership Flaws found in Biblical Characters: Elijah’s thin skin that caused his depression

It is easy to recognize 'thin skin' responses in others and pass it off as their problem, or a 'weakness'...in ourselves, it is difficult to handle.

In others - "They're sure touchy." Or, if it's someone we really love, "They're very sensitive..."

In ourselves it can run the gamut of 'having hurt feelings,' 'being confused and bewildered by the comment or situation,' 'feeling rejected, or misunderstood, or not appreciated' - or being downright 'depressed.'

Not everyone experiences this kind of thing. There are some folks who really are calloused to the feelings and experiences and expressions of others. They tend to have that 'Frankly Scarlett' type of attitude and are quite willing to disregard any other opinion that conflicts with their own.

"Elijah was a man just like us..." (James 5:17) There are probably several, myself included, who identify with that comment of James in the New Testament. There are probably several, myself included, who don't particularly like to admit that Elijah was just like 'us.'

I would be among the first to want, as Elisha, to have the faith, power, and authority of Elijah - but I sure don't want to have to admit that I share his 'petulance' and 'peevishness' over pesky people! But I do, and perhaps you do too.

Yes, there was a time when Elijah had made a stand, all by himself, for the honor and integrity of his beliefs...and made a point of reminding God about that, but God responded that there were seven thousand others who had not bowed a knee before an idol.

Elijah took that rebuke heavily. It probably seemed to him that even God didn't appreciate what he (Elijah) had gone through in publicly taking the right stand.

Rejection hurts, even if it is only the rejection of an idea. But when the rejection is more pointed and personal, then it really hurts to the point of depression or despair.

It is tough to work through. It is really tough to let go of...and "Get Over It" as the 'Eagles' sing. But it is absolutely necessary for us to do that. Elijah lingered too long and too loudly in his feelings of hurt and rejection and being unappreciated. God finally had heard enough and passed the leadership "mantle" on to Elisha.

Yes, if we don't "get over it" it will destroy us, our relationships, our careers, our family, and create a problem between us and God.

I really hurt for 'thin skinned' people because I have 'thin skin' myself. It is easy to get 'hurt' and so difficult to 'trust' later. I understand that. I have often wanted God to 'understand' - and He does, but He isn't too understanding of us parking in our misery.

Move on..."Get Over It."