Many of us have mental, emotional
and spiritual issues from our past that keep us feeling fearful and insecure.
We tend to drag these issues around with us, and they may ruin our current and
future relationships.
For instance, loneliness is a major
plight in today's busy world. Even if we have children, work with a multitude
of people, or are married, we can still experience intense loneliness. Close
friends may move away, or we may move away from them.
We often use addictions to mask our
loneliness, which cause more isolation as well as physical, mental and
emotional issues. Health issues may cause our loneliness, because they isolate
us from the world around us.
We may have a melancholy personality that promotes our feelings of loneliness. Or, an
experience, such as a divorce, a death, a fire or a natural disaster may rob us
of treasures that we held dear. These all cause depression and loneliness.
Thankfully, loneliness is a choice,
and we can change that choice. God's grace sufficiently supplies all of our
needs, even opportunities to face our negative emotions, and to seek His wisdom
and guidance in successfully resolving them.
Limiting the distractions in our
life, which make constant demands on us, helps us to focus totally on God. We
can view loneliness as a chance to increase our intimacy with God. He longs to
fellowship with us, and to receive our gratitude and admiration.
Reading His Word, spending
dedicated time praising Him for who He is and for His specific provision and
blessings in our life, as well as walking in His Spirit, will improve our unity with God. He abides within us, and
cherishes our time with Him.
We can also take part in group
activities such as clubs that promote Bible studies or charitable activities; hobbies
like woodworking, biking, hiking, reading books together; craft classes; sporting
events such as bowling or tennis; as well as board games like checkers or
chess, etc.
If we vegetate alone in front of
the TV or social media sites, we may feel even lonelier or more depressed and
isolated. Listening to uplifting music, reading inspirational books and
articles, teaching a class, and asking God for wisdom on how to change our
negative thoughts and attitudes will diminish our loneliness.
Prayer:
Father God, remind us that Your
Word is full of comfort for us, especially the Psalms. King David lost his
mentor - King Saul, and also his best friend - Saul's son Jonathan, as well as his
home, and at times his country and his family; therefore His words in the
Psalms bring comfort to our soul.
Teach us to seek the ministry that You
may have for us to do in our church and community.
Help us not to dwell on our
negative circumstances, or on the fact that family and friends are too busy to
include us in their life, but to follow Your Spirit's leading in how to spend
our time and attention. Give us the courage to step out in faith and volunteer,
or to take a job that helps other people. Remind us that we can even start a
support group for people who feel lonely, or just befriend one other person
that we see struggling with loneliness too.
Thought for the Day:
If we have preconceived
expectations of how and when God should answer our prayers, and He does not do
it in our timing and in our way, this may increase our feelings of isolation;
however, waiting on the Lord, and entering His rest, will give us joy and peace
that will help us to see God's hand in our life, even during the worst of our
negative circumstances.
- Proverbs 5:21; Matthew 26:36-46
