Surviving Lonliness

When we lose a loved one, our job, our home, our church family or a beloved pet, depression often hinders our mind from seeing any joy in life. We wallow in self-pity and hide under the covers, nursing our wounds. 

Of course, we have a right to grieve, and it is very healthy for us to do so; but we often carry it way too far. We may even turn to addictions to erase our pain. We can choose to be lonely, or we can choose to reach out. A smile will change our whole attitude. 

Of course, a fake smile will wear thin and tears will often wash it away. The smile must come from our heart; therefore we need to think of something or someone that honestly makes us happy. The fact that Jesus saved us for eternity always puts a smile on my face.

Serving in our church family puts a song in our heart and a smile in our steps. Reading our Bible and other spiritual books, listening to praise music or watching inspirational movies and testimonies will also help to bring us up from the pit of depression. 

In addition, we can return to a previous interest, start a new hobby or get together with former, cherished friends. Making new memories and meeting wholesome new friends can also change our life.

Often our friends are too shy to reach out, or do not know what to say or how to help us. So, please communicate how you feel, return calls, invite people over for dinner or go out with the crowd and get lost in it. Some former friends may drift out of your life, but let them go. God has new friends for you just around the corner. Trust in Him to see you through this trying time and to bring you safely to His eternal joy.

Prayer:

Father God, You always use the negative aspects of our life for our good (Romans 8:28). We may not see anything positive at this time, but in hindsight, it becomes very clear that You had a purpose in it all (Proverbs 5:21). 

 We often want the answers now, but You have Your very own time and way to meet all of our needs (Proverbs 3:5-6). Remind us that rather than doing all of the talking during our times of prayer, that we need to listen in order to hear Your voice.

Thought for the Day:

Jesus comforts us with the consolation He received from our Father; and we can turn around and comfort others with the same reassurance He gives to us in our time of need. - 2 Corinthians 1:4

On Dry Land

Read: Joshua 3:1-17

“He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry.” - Nahum 1:4

The verses in Joshua 3:15-16 always intrigues me, "As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away." No miracle occurred until the priests took that first step of faith into the flooded waters of the river. They had to look beyond their natural fears and inhibitions and obey God. Before revealing His mighty hand in our life, God is patiently waiting for full commitment from us, as well.

There are so many skeptics in today’s society that believe the Bible is a book of fairytales and stories written by men, rather than inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). They do not believe in the power of God because they do not see His power working in the world today. Is it because we have too little faith? Or is it because when He does things for us, we do not share His goodness with the rest of the world? The entire Bible is filled with testimonies of miraculous feats that God performs for His people.

When circumstances get out of our control, or present a problem too complex for us to handle, that is when God’s power manifests in our life. When Jesus healed people in the Bible, many took the time to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for them. Everyone was amazed at the testimonies (Mark 5:20). We have many avenues for sharing these miracles every day. Facebook is a great way to give God glory. Giving personal testimonies to our friends, relatives, associates and neighbors is another way to tell of His glorious and personal touch in the lives of those who serve Him.

Or perhaps due to disobedience or a lack of devotion on your part, God does not intervene on your behalf. There is an easy fix for this problem…repentance and reconnection to God is only a prayer away. Another problem is that many people are afraid to turn total control of their life over to God. They fear what He will require of them. They do not want to go to Africa as a missionary or sell all of their earthly good and give all the money to the poor. God rarely calls people to these drastic commitments of faith; but when He does, He gives us so much more than He ever requires from us.

Our Creator God, in all of His majesty and power, is just waiting to work miracles for us and for those whose lives we touch. He asks for total surrender of your will to His and a total commitment to spiritual goals and focus. Compare the deficient lives we live to God’s great universe. What do we have to lose? With the Trinity dwelling within us there is nothing we cannot do as we walk in obedience to the direction of the Holy Spirit moment by moment throughout the day.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the Mighty One who does great things for us (Luke 1:48) Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5). Help us to keep our life set apart to You, so that You can continue to do great things for us. In this story in Joshua, the moment the priests set their feet on the dry ground on the other side of the river, the waters of the Jordan River returned to their place and ran at flood stage again (Joshua 4:18). There is no denying the might works You do for those who love You, and they fill us with great joy and inspiration (Psalm 126:2-3).

Thought for the Day:

Surrender every area of your life to God and walk in the power of His Holy Spirit.