The Elijah Project:

My Protector, My Provider
written by Andrea M. Polnaszek and illustrated by Christina Rambo

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 1

Table of Contents

Introduction....................................................................................3

Dedication......................................................................................5

Your Story, My Story .....................................................................8

Activity 1: Who am I?...............................................................10

Activity 2: Story.......................................................................11

Who is Elijah?..............................................................................12

The Brook Dries Up: Necessary Endings........................................13

Activity 3: Endings...................................................................14

What Have I Done Wrong? The Problem with Shame ....................15

Activity 4: The Shame Trap.......................................................16

Safe People: Are There Any? ........................................................17

Activity 5: Recognizing Safe and Unsafe People.........................18

The Idol Limp ..............................................................................19

Activity 6: Limping ..................................................................20

What Do I Feel? ...........................................................................21

Activity 7: Fear ........................................................................22

Activity 8: Like Elijah: Scared, Lonely, Exhausted .....................23

Activity 9: Hopelessness...........................................................24

Activity 10: Like Elijah: Plunged into the Depths of Sadness.......25

Feeling Faces ...........................................................................26

Name it. Claim it. Tame it.........................................................27

The Broom T ree ...........................................................................28

Activity 11: Rest....................................................................... 29

Hearing God’s Voice ....................................................................31

Activity 12: Quiet.....................................................................32

Resources.....................................................................................33

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 2

Introduction
I was invited to participate in a forum for faith-based organizations which offered
mental health support in their communities, October 2009. This forum gathered
some of the most incredible faith-based servants from around the country. A
committee was formed from that group and this committee created a curriculum for
laity to address mental health issues in their community of faith. The valuable
experience of working with this committee laid the backdrop and inspired the work
of The Elijah Project for Touched Twice United.

For 15 years I’ve had the privilege to walk with children, adolescents and families
through the trying hardship and pain. As a licensed clinical social worker, youth
pastor, church community member, and administrator for Touched Twice United
I’ve had a bird’s eye view of the true hurt that happens on this broken planet. There
are no easy answers. My consistent sentiment is to share your story until it becomes
so much a part of you ... that you no longer cry. Thankfully God collects all of our
tears and holds them in a bottle until the day of Christ’s return. He is our Protector
and Provider.

The Elijah Project is an extension of that work, written with Touched Twice clinic
coordinators, advocates, professionals and other volunteers in mind. Although, as I
shared this work, people of all ages and life experience found a nugget of truth, a
way that they could apply it to their life situation.

We’ve heard over and over again that volunteers experience burn out, including
those working with Touched Twice United. We’ve heard the concern and
recommended that volunteers rest. This response seemed too simplistic and didn’t
seem to address the heart of the problem.

In December 2011 my husband, Perry, and I were engaged in a 31 week survey of

the Bible, The Story. We brushed with the story of Elijah, a Biblical character we
were familiar with but had not thought about in some time.

We were intimately reminded of Elijah’s sold out life of prophesy for God and his
human response of exhaustion and depression. We were struck by the fact that
Elijah saw God do incredible miracles. After a showdown with the prophets of
Baal, the miracles culminated with Elijah’s water-drenched offering being burned
up by fire from Heaven. 1 Kings 17-19

This experience of God’s supremacy is reminiscent of the Touched Twice clinic

events where God provides beyond everyone’s imagination. People’s physical
needs are met and then the Gospel message is shared. It is an emotional high for
Christ-followers, and it is often common for these same clinic volunteers to find
themselves exhausted and depressed a week after the dust settles.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 3

After Elijah sees God on M ount Carmel, Queen Jezebel threatens his life. Instead
of standing in the authority of God, confident of His provision ... Elijah runs for his
life. After a day’s journey he collapses under a broom tree and falls asleep. While
he sleeps, Elijah is touched twice. An angel comes and touches him, Elijah awakes,
and there is hot bread baking on coals and water to drink. After Elijah eats, the
angel encourages him to go back to sleep. He does. When the angel touches Elijah
a second time giving him directions from God, Elijah is able to hear and follow.

I believe that Elijah didn’t have the strength to hear from God when the angel
touched him the first time. He needed food and rest. I believe this human need is
revealed in Touched Twice United clinics – folks can’t hear the Gospel when their
tooth is aching or their hearts are hurting from unemployment. Only after the
earthly need is addressed is the human heart open to hear about Jesus, recognize
God as the Provider.

The Elijah Project is Touched Twice for the soul. Are you feeling tired? Is your
heart is hurting from discouragement or abuse? Do you feel unappreciated after
tirelessly serving others? This workbook is designed for you, a sanctuary for your
soul, a place where you can rest, recoup, and recover spiritually.

Andrea M . Polnaszek

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 4

Dedication
In 1996 a small group of electrified people gathered together to discuss, plan, and
pray about what God had done through a little “Health Fair.” In the collective effort
that had yet to be named, everyone had experienced God as real and personal. We
had served many different needs ... in Christ’s name.

While we were bouncing ideas off each other, our very southern friend started to
bring us to M ark 8, the story where Jesus touches the blind man twice. In his slow
southern drawl he asked, “Why did Jesus touch the man twice? Was He running
low on power that day?”

This two touch example resonated with all of us: one touch to meet the physical,
the second touch to meet the spiritual need. Touched Twice United was born.
Countless people have been both the blessing and the blessed through the simple
goal of meeting human needs in Christ’s name.

Fast forward to January 2012.

The TTU Board of Directors had taken my Abraham-Isaac call seriously: if we had
not accomplished our goal of a clinic in every county in every state by 2011 we
would sacrifice the ministry back to God. While fasting and praying with our board
members in the weeks preceding the January meeting God had me revisit 1 Kings
17-19. Elijah was a man anointed by God.

Unlike Noah and the Ark, Elijah didn’t receive a step by step blue print. Elijah
faced overwhelming odds in a land that was suffering a drought. All the people,
including his king and queen, were against him and disillusioned with God. As the
well-told story unfolds, Elijah risks everything in faith, defeats the prophets of Baal
and brings the people back to God. 1 Kings 18

Jezebel then threatens Elijah and he runs away in fear. As he runs away into the
wilderness he finds himself under a broom tree confessing that he is no better than
those who have come before him and that he would be better off dead. Right on the
heels of this mighty victory of God, Elijah feels shame, guilt, and fear. 1 Kings 19:1-4

During the past 15 years of following after Jesus I have witnessed so many of
God’s champions repeat this pattern. M any a clinic coordinator has seen God’s
glory only to be chased by fear into hiding and retreat. Thank our God of two
touches and second chances as He gives us yet another example to follow!

All at once an angel, a messenger from God, touches Elijah and asks him to get up
and eat. There prepared for him is water and warm bread. He eats and lays down
again to rest. The messenger comes a second time, touches Elijah and says, “Get up
and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 1 Kings 19:5-7

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 5

I had underestimated the tremendous emotional, physical, and spiritual energy it
takes to risk for God. I confessed that as a husband I didn’t account for how
difficult these past 15 years have been for Andrea. I confess that we embedded this
underestimation into our TTU manual.

This is the next season for Touched Twice United. We want to anticipate the
human costs, then prepare and prevent as much burn-out as possible.

Within this book I pray that you will find the help you need to finish your journey
of meeting human needs in Christ’s name.

Executive Director TTU

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 6

 There is power in our story. This is my story – a story of
serving and wondering and waiting. Your story and my
story are part of His greater story. The Bible tells the story
of a people waiting to be delivered. Christ followers have
the same journey as the Israelites did, depicted in Genesis
and Exodus. We follow the same pattern of forgiveness,
redemption, erecting idols, then pulling them down and
repenting before a Holy God.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 7

Your Story, My Story
A few years ago I had a meet your M aker moment while looking in the mirror. I
woke up to my daily routine, stumbled down my stairs, put coffee on and
resentfully made my children’s lunches. I went to the bathroom and while washing
my hands I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I remember looking in the mirror
and thinking: “Where did all those lines come from?” My brow was furrowed. I
tried to smile and a hard cracked expression appeared. I looked tired, lonely and
afraid.

My next series of thoughts were: “I don’t like who I am becoming” and “I wouldn’t
want to be married to me, or be one of my children.” The reality of my mental
conversation left me limping away from the mirror.

The sad truth revealed that day was that I didn’t like who I was becoming. I had
been “giving for God” with a hope of getting something in return. I was giving with
“strings attached” and growing resentful when my wishes were not fulfilled. I was
not a cheerful giver. I was bound by fear. I was afraid to be rejected. I was scared to
be “exposed” and humiliated. The results included fear of answering my telephone.
I was terrified of the criticism that surrounded me. I had allowed Satan to set up
residence in my soul in the form of shame. The enemy was puppeting my
movements. I would do anything to avoid criticism, so I was not able to be free or
honest with who I was. I heard EVERYTHING as negative. Even the positives were
internally manipulated to say: you aren’t good enough.

I was living in shame of my own mistakes, the failings of my children, the

inadequacies of my husband, and the perception of our church. Rather than looking
like a radiant redeemed follower of Jesus, I looked like the Samaritan beggar –
estranged, bruised, hurting, and alone.

Over the next few weeks I spent some time with God. I spent some time with my
reflection and compared it to the qualities God offered me in His Word.

The fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness
and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV excerpt

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 8

I posted the list of the fruit on my refrigerator. I took a step toward my girlfriends
and asked them to hold me accountable to heal. I was so fortunate to be received by
smiles, embraces and a safe place.

We began to read Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend’s book: Boundaries. We prayed for
my fear to be lifted and to live in God’s glorious abundance.

M onths later, after developing some stamina again, I took an on-line class with
Brené Brown, a researcher and social worker expert on shame. Through her
teaching I began to identify the signs of a bully and to develop soul care. I
cultivated some resilience and stopped getting “beat up” on the playground called
my life.

After taking the class, I reread 1 Kings 17-19. I was struck by Elijah’s story. Elijah
experienced the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob personally. He prophesied of
God’s great plan. He was courageous and when his bully arrived to taunt and
threaten him, Elijah became depressed, discouraged, and afraid. I was Elijah.
Walking through these chapters in the ancient Scripture, I saw God as My
Protector and My Provider. The story strengthened my faith and gave order to my
journey. The story brought me hope!

There is power in our story. Your story and my story are part of His greater story.
The Bible tells the story of a people waiting to be delivered. Christ followers have
the same journey as the Israelites did, depicted in Genesis and Exodus. We follow
the same pattern of forgiveness, redemption, erecting idols, then pulling them back
down and repenting before a Holy God.

In 1 Kings 17-19 we are transported into the journey of God’s prophet Elijah. I am
encouraged to share part of my journey with you. We are in great company with
Elijah. Even a great prophet struggled, and became worn out. My prayer is that this
workbook will be an “angel touch” in your story.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 9

Who am I?
Activity 1: Express how you feel today. Use colors, images, and words.
Where are you holding your stress, anxiety, or frustration? Where do you feel
happy, loved, and cared for? What is on your mind and heart?

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 10

Story
Activity 2: Tell your story. Use pictures, images, colors and words!

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 11

Who is Elijah?
Elijah was a prophet, his name means "Yahweh is my God." He was
a prophet in the Kingdom of Samaria during the reign of Ahab in the
9th century BC. According to the Book of Kings Elijah defended the
worship of Yahweh over that of the more popular Baal, he raised the
dead, brought fire down from the sky, and was taken up in a
whirlwind either accompanied by a chariot and horses of flame or
riding in it. Wikipedia

Elijah was a God-fearer living within a divided kingdom. The Israelites worshipped
many other gods. People had idols of all kinds that had pushed out the one true
God. Elijah received a word from the LORD. First God told him to go to King Ahab
and deliver the message that a drought was coming. Next God directed Elijah to the
Kerwith Valley. There the ravens brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning and
evening, and he drank from the brook. The brook eventually dried up and God
directed Elijah to his next stop. We see Elijah enter a village and ask a woman to
bring him a cup of water and a cake of bread. The woman responds that she doesn’t
have enough resources to make him bread. Elijah asks her to make him bread
anyway. She is obedient. The flour and oil in her jar never run out.

God continues to direct Elijah.

Elijah told the people that a drought was coming. Later he was the conduit for God
to show His power by incinerating the water-drenched offering and altar. He again
proclaimed that the people had walked away from God and it was time to come
back. Following the incredible miracle, the prophets of Baal were killed and the
people believed in God.

After the idol blow-out on M ount Carmel, King Ahab’s bullying wife threatens
Elijah. He ends up running for his life until he collapses from exhaustion under a
broom tree in the desert. There an angel touches Elijah twice. The first touch
awakens Elijah to a meal – water and warm bread. After he eats, the angel
encourages Elijah to go back to sleep. The next time the angels wakes Elijah, God
gives him his next direction. Elijah’s story demonstrates that God is the ultimate
Protector and Provider.

The God of Elijah, the same Protector and Provider, is available to us today!

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 12

The Brook Dries Up:
Necessary Endings
Elijah had a tremendous faith in God. When God spoke Elijah listened and obeyed.
He was told by God that a drought was going to come upon the Kingdom of
Samaria. He prophesied to King Ahab about the three year calamity that was to
come. After Elijah prophesied God directed him to the Kerwith Ravine where the
ravens fed him bread and meat every morning and evening. Elijah drank from a
brook. God protected Elijah in the way He provided for him. The raven’s portions
were perfect. He had nothing left over so he was protected from wild animals
foraging for food. Scripture says that “sometime later” the brook dried up and God
directed Elijah to go to Zarephath of Sidon.

When those provisions ceased, God gave Elijah his next direction. God directed
him to a village and a widow ... there God provided Elijah’s next meal. God was
his Protector and Provider. It is fascinating to think of all the responses Elijah
could have had when the brook dried up. He might have been frustrated with God.
He might have worried and become anxious. Elijah's model is powerful. He waited
on God and allowed God to provide. This story is a perfect example of a necessary
ending.

Dr. Henry Cloud has written a wonderful book called Necessary Endings that
suggests just like a rose bush must be pruned in order to grow fuller, people need to
prune relationships and connections in order to be more useful for God.

Consider what God might be asking you to prune from your life in this season.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 13

Endings
Activity 3: Take a look at your life. Where has the brook dried up? Where are
resources scarce? Where is energy low? Where are relationships exhausting you?
What relationships in your life might need to end?

After writing these things down, take a moment to grieve and begin the process of
burying the old and planting the new.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 14

What Have I Done Wrong?
The Problem with Shame
In Zarephath of Sidon, God commanded a widow to care for Elijah in a miraculous
way. When Elijah asked the widow for help, as God had instructed, she said that
she planned to return home and use her last oil and flour to make one more cake,
then she and her son would eat and die. Elijah said: “Don’t be afraid” and asked her
to feed him.

The widow obeyed and fed Elijah. God as the Provider filled her jug of oil and the
container of flour. Scripture does not say that the ingredients were over flowing ...
instead it says that they never ran out. There was food for the widow, her son and
Elijah every day!

While Elijah lived there the widow’s son became ill. Scripture says: “the boy was
so ill he had no breath left within him.”

Even after seeing God’s provision the widow was ashamed and accused Elijah:

“What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to
remind me of my sin and kill my son?” 1 Kings 17:18 NIV
The widow asked Elijah: Are you bringing judgment down on me for my past sins?

Satan is the author of shame. The shame did not come from Elijah or God. Satan’s
view is dark. It removes the Jesus filter. As redeemed Christ followers God sees
our imperfections through His Son’s blood sacrifice. By Jesus’ wounds we can be
seen fully by God. Satan can only use what we know. Satan does not see the future,
so he uses shame and haunting questions like: “What did I do wrong in my past?”
to disarm our faith.

In Christ all things are new. He is our Light. God works all things together for the
good of those who are called according to His purposes. Philippians 2:13 NIV 1984

God is our Protector.

Elijah takes the boy to the roof and prays: “LORD my God, let this
boy’s life return to him!” 1 Kings 17:21 NIV

After he prayed, Elijah carried the boy down to his mother and said:
“Look, your son is alive!” 1 Kings 17:23 NIV

In that moment the widow not only sees God as her Provider, but her Protector.
The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the
word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.” 1 Kings 17:25 NIV

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 15

The Shame Trap
Activity 4: The enemy is defeated and death couldn’t hold the widow’s son down.
Jesus conquers death and Satan is defeated. This is the truth. Satan lurks in our
world as the angel of darkness. Where is Satan lurking in your thoughts and
keeping you in bondage?

I invite you to prayer. Hold your hands upright, with your palms facing the ceiling.
Ask God to reveal where Satan is shaming you and keeping you trapped in a lie.
Then, with open hands and an open heart, release control to God.

Identify what you are holding too tightly:

Identify where you need to invite God to be your Protector and Provider:

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 16

Safe People:
Are There Any?
After three years of drought, which had produced famine in the land, the LORD
came to Elijah again and told him to present himself to King Ahab and tell him that
God would send rain on the land. Ahab had a trusted advisor named Obadiah. He
was a God-fearer and had protected hundreds of the LORD’s prophets when Jezebel
was killing them off.

Elijah runs into Obadiah on his way to King Ahab.

As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah

recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, “Is it really
you, my lord Elijah?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’”
“What have I done wrong,” asked Obadiah, “that you are handing
your servant over to Ahab to be put to death?” 1 Kings 18:7-9 NIV

Obadiah quickly changes from honor to fear. It seems strange that Satan uses
shame again, in the face of meeting one of God’s legendary prophets.

Obadiah recognizes Elijah as a prophet of God. He realizes God’s provision of a

safe person. This is remarkable since Obadiah has spent years working for the king
and queen who were not safe. They were killing the LORD’s people. Elijah asks
Obadiah to trust him as a safe person and be obedient, to present himself to an
unsafe person and announce God’s prophet.

Elijah said, “As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will
surely present myself to Ahab today.” 1 Kings 18:15 NIV

Recognizing God as both Protector and Provider will provide us with wisdom and
protect us from unsafe people. Discernment is a difficult discipline. The world is
full of unsafe people. Discernment means recognizing signs of unsafe people. We
must exercise discipline to protect ourselves. With God’s strength we can guard our
hearts and minds, and live with unsafe people in the tenuous in-between.
Obedience means doing what the LORD asks and following His instructions
whether the person we are working with is safe or not. We must trust that in our
obedience God will protect us.

Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend authored a wonderful book called Safe
People which walks us through frank, soul-searching discussion and practical steps
for growth.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 17

Recognizing Safe and Unsafe People
Activity 5: List the characteristics of a good friend, a safe person.

Draw three concentric circles: the center is for your closest and safest relationships,
the middle is for people who know you but not the most intimate details, and the
outer circle contains those who are acquaintances.

Conduct a quick evaluation of your relationships. Are the people at the center
nurturing your spirit, providing you safety and strengthening your relationship with
God? Does anyone need to be moved: either closer to or farther from your heart?

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 18

The Idol Limp
After a long time ... in the third year, God came to Elijah again and commanded
him to tell Ahab that the drought was about to end. When Ahab saw Elijah he
called him a “troublemaker for Israel.” There was no shame for Elijah. He quickly
responded that Ahab and his forefathers were the true troublemakers because they
had abandoned God’s commands and were following Baal. Elijah and the prophets
of Baal had a showdown on M ount Carmel.

The prophets of Baal built an altar, tormented themselves. They called out to their
gods, praying for fire. Nothing happened. All day the people watched the prophets
of Baal cut themselves attempting to get Baal’s attention.

Elijah came near to all the people and said, How long will you halt
and limp between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But
if Baal, then follow him. And the people did not answer him a word.
1 Kings 18:21 AMP emphasis added

So they took the bull given them … and called on the name of Baal
from morning until noon, saying, O Baal hear and answer us! But
there was no voice; no one answered. 1 Kings 18:26 AMP

As the prophets of Baal continued to bargain with their false gods they yelled
louder and they limped around the altar they had made.

Elijah made fun of the false prophets. He suggested that Baal was relieving himself
or on vacation. Later in the day Elijah asked for help to rebuild his altar. He took 12
stones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Elijah had a trench dug around his altar
and had the offering, the wood, and the trench drenched with water. Scripture says
the trench was filled to overflowing.

Elijah … prayed: “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, let it

be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your
servant ...” 1 Kings 18:36 NIV 1984
The offering was engulfed with flames directly from Heaven. After the sacrifice
was burned up, the people turned back to God.

“The LORD - he is God. The LORD - he is God.” And Elijah said to

Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.”
1 Kings 18:39, 41 NIV 1984 excerpt

God the Protector and Provider ... protected Elijah from the prophets of Baal, from
the crowd and from the angry king. He provided stamina and clear thinking for
Elijah. He also provided fire from heaven to show His existence.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 19

Limping
Activity 6: Consider what you put your faith in. What are your idols? What do you
trust? What things do you hang onto, even though you believe in God? i.e., job,
money, kids, spouse, figure, retirement. List your idols here.

Elijah asks the people: How long will you “limp” between two different options?
He asks: Follow God or Follow Baal. Where are you limping and leaning on a
crutch? An idol? How are you trying to take care of yourself?

Take a moment to reflect on how God has protected and provided for you this
week. List even the little things, i.e., the sun, a home, a warm meal, a friend.

Now move your thoughts from the smaller provisions and list the bigger ones, i.e.,
life, health, family, a job, knowing God.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 20

What Do I Feel?
As the story begins to conclude, Samaria has been in a three year drought. Imagine
a sky without clouds for more than 1000 days. God tells Elijah that the drought will
end. Elijah sends a servant out seven times to look for rain. Seven is a perfect
number. God uses it as a number to symbolize completion. Seven times the servant
rides to the edge of a cliff to look for signs of rain.

And at the seventh time the servant said, “A cloud as small as a

man’s hand is arising out of the sea.” 1 Kings 18:44 AMP excerpt

I live in Wisconsin where we experience a wide variety of weather.

For most of the winter our sky is cloud covered. Snow clouds have
a very distinct look. M idwestern residents can recognize what
weather might be coming due to the type of clouds in the sky. It is
difficult if not impossible for me to imagine a cloudless sky.

But for Elijah and those living in Israel at the time, the arid climate and
drought had produced a cloudless sky for almost three years. Imagine
the servant riding back and forth six times, watching for a rain cloud. He
probably thought it was impossible, far fetched. But the very nature of a
servant is obedient, so he followed the command. The servant probably
thought it was not possible to see the cloudless sky change. And then ...
upon his seventh trip he sees a cloud the size of a man’s hand.

Once the cloud rolled in ... the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy
rain came on the land. Ahab rode off toward Jezreel. Ahab no doubt sent word to
his queen, Jezebel, with a report of all that had happened. Jezebel is known for
bringing Baal worship to Samaria. She had hundreds of God’s prophets killed. By
this time Jezebel is probably seeing, feeling, and hearing the rain. She is most likely
enraged by what the LORD has done through His prophet Elijah. Jezebel sends one
of her messengers to Elijah – with a threat to kill him.

The Bible says: “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” 1 Kings 19:3 NIV
After all of God’s miraculous provision, Elijah became afraid. He asked God to
allow him to die and let him go be with his ancestors.

Elijah … left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey
into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and
prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take
my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:3-4 NIV

Elijah questioned God, the proven Protector and Provider he had been following.
He ran and ran until he was worn out and fell asleep under a broom tree.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 21

Fear
Activity 7: Express how you experience fear. Use colors, images, and words.
Where do you hold your anxiety, stress, frustration, or anger? Where do you feel
unappreciated or abused? What is on your mind and heart?

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 22

Like Elijah:
Scared, Lonely, Exhausted
There are four basic categories of feelings: anger, sadness, happiness and fear. Take
a moment to look at the feeling faces on page 26.

scared disappoin ted disgusted

Activity 8: Draw a picture or list words that describe how you feel when you – like
Elijah – become frightened, scared, lonely, and exhausted.

Elijah was afraid when he heard Jezebel’s death threat. What evokes fear in you?
When do you feel bullied and become afraid? How do you respond to fear?

What do you look like when you feel afraid?

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 23

Hopelessness
Activity 9: Express how you experience hopelessness. Use colors, images, and words.
Where do you hold your sadness, misery, guilt, disappointment, or grief? Where do
you feel tired or discouraged? What is on your mind and heart?

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 24

Like Elijah:
Plunged into the Depths of Sadness
Activity 10: Elijah moved from elation to fear and into such a thorough depression
that he was ready to die! Reminisce about a time when you saw the Power of God
then plunged into the depths of sadness in a short period of time.

bored

Describe a time when you felt hopeless.

confused

miserable

Elijah complained to God ... “Just come back, I’m done here!”

Have you ever complained to God? Describe a time when you gave up hope.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 25

 Feeling Faces

aggressive

angry

bored confident ecstatic happy joy ful

confident

confused

disappointed
griev ing miserable sad
disgusted

ecstatic

enraged

grieving
bored guilty disappointed negativ e
guilty

happy

horrified

joyful aggressiv e angry disgusted

miserable

negative

sad
enraged confused horrified scared
scared

surprised

surprised

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 26

 Name it. Claim it. Tame it.
There are four main groups of emotions: Anger, Sadness, Happiness, and Fear.
Developing a feeling vocabulary is an important self-care tool to allow us to balance
between walling off our emotions and being overwhelmed by our emotions. Some say “to
aggressive name it, is to claim it, is to tame it.” I believe that by developing our feeling vocabulary
and actively identifying how we feel (not how others are “making” us feel) will help us to
angry live in submission to God and not at the whim of Satan.

bored
Anger S adness Happiness Fear
confident

confused frustration grief joy terror

disappointed

disgusted

ecstatic

enraged

grieving

guilty

happy

horrified

joyful

miserable

negative

sad

scared

surprised

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 27

The Broom Tree
Elijah cried out in desperation to God, then fell asleep underneath a broom tree.
Broom trees were large juniper trees, common in arid climates. The pictures look
like rigid willow trees with arch-shaped hard branches.

Elijah slept under the broom tree until an angel touched him. The first touch was
provision. When he woke up there was bread and water at his head. He ate and
drank, and the angel encouraged him to go back to sleep. 1 Kings 19:4-6

A key to emotional stability is rest ad nourishment, never allowing yourself to

become too tired or too hungry.

Next the angel touched Elijah a second time. He woke up and God gave Elijah his
next instruction. 1 Kings 19:7-9

Elijah’s story mirrors all of our stories. We hear from God. We become zealous to
do His work. We experience God, seeing Him provide and protect us. We are
overwhelmed by His glory, majesty, and many gifts. Elijah had a few very unique
experiences for his time. He heard God’s voice. He had faith in the voice and he
obeyed the directions. He saw God move and do miraculous acts. And even after
seeing God work supernaturally, Elijah became so exhausted that he became afraid.
He then became overwhelmed by fear and could not see God as his Protector.

In fact Elijah asked God to let him die.

Instead, our gracious God provided Elijah rest, food, and new direction.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 28

Rest
Activity 11: Elijah was led to a broom tree for rest. A broom tree has full branches
that can envelope you in shaded protection. Take a few moments to think about
your broom tree, your place of rest. What does your safe place look like? Where do
you go to recover and rejuvenate, seek shelter and cover?

When was the last time that you visited your broom tree?

Take a look at the Who am I? pictures you drew in our previous activities (pgs
10, 22, 24). Evaluate where you need a broom tree. What part of your soul
needs care? Choose one action step to care for your servant soul today.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 29

Identify your broom tree. Label each branch with a safe place, or provision God
gives that helps you care for your servant soul.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 30

Hearing God’s Voice
Elijah spent 40 days traveling to M ount Horeb.

Once at the mountain the LORD told Elijah to stand and wait for God to move.
Elijah went into a cave and spent the night.

And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here,
Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God
Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your
altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only
one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

Take note that Elijah wanted credit for his service. He identifies and reminds God
of his service. He assumes the worst rather than remembering God’s lifelong
Provision and Protection.

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of
the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and
powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks
before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind
there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.
And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he
pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of
the cave. 1 Kings 19:9-13 NIV excerpt

God was not in the wind. God was not in the earthquake. God was not in the fire.

After the wind, the earthquake and the fire subsided there was a gentle whisper.
God chose to speak to Elijah in a whisper. We live in a fast moving culture, one
that has instant information. We are bombarded with noise. God is not typically in
the noise and clutter of our lives. In 1 Kings 19:12, God speaks in “a still small
voice.” We often look for more, bigger and jumbo sizes, while God chooses the
weak, innocent and broken to deliver His message. We keep busy to block out the
fear of our brokenness. In the quiet we are confronted with ourselves. It is often
scary to slow down, clean out the clutter, and be still.

In the quiet comfort of God’s arms we see His Protection and Provision.

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 31

Quiet
Activity 12: Listen for God. Clean out the clutter, the noise in your head. Spend
some time to identify God’s voice amid the clutter in your life, so you can hear
God. Identify God’s voice by praying for Him to speak to your heart. God will
speak in a language unique to the way you were created.

How has God protected and provided for you?

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 32

Resources
The Bible
New International Version (NIV) © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
The Message (MSG) © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 Eugene Peterson
Amplified Bible (AMP) © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by Lockman Foundation
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica
Activity 1 excerpted from Mental Health and Substance Abuse Curriculum for Laity
submitted by Maria del Carmen Uceda-Gras, Alice Graham, Milagro Grullon, Andrea
Polnaszek, Sharon Topping and Ashley Wennerstrom. Pending publication, 2011
The Message of Elijah for Kids: What’s in the Bible , Volume 6: The Nation Divided:
Kings and Chronicles created by Phil Vischer
Ne cessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have to
Give Up in Order to Move Forward by Dr. Henry Cloud www.drcloud.com/resources
Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That
Aren’t by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend www.cloudtownsend.com
Boundaries: When to say YES, When to say NO; to take control of your life by Dr. Henry
Cloud and Dr. John Townsend www.cloudtownsend.com
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Suppose d to Be and
Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown www.brenebrown.com
Touch Stone
by Andrea M. Polnaszek
Touched Stone chronicles the founders’ journey of faith, frustration and fruit
during the early years of Touched T wice
www.touchedtwiceunited.org

The Elijah Project: My Protector, My Provider by Andrea M. Polnaszek

12 Jan 2013 with illustrations by Christina Rambo, edited by Renee Wurzer,
with cover photo by Igor Stepovik, 123rf.com

We invite you to learn more about Touched T wice United at our website:
www.touche dtwiceunite d.org

For more information about having the author speak

to your organization please contact:

Andrea M. Polnaszek, L.C.S.W.

andrea@touchedtwiceunited.org
devotedtointegrity.blogspot.com
715 379-0826

www.touchedtwiceunited.org

© 2012, 2013 Andrea M. Polnaszek and Christina Rambo for www.touchedtwiceunited.org 33