“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

As a single woman, I have a lot of freedom. But with freedom comes occasional loneliness. Many of my friends and co-workers are married. They go home to their husband and kids. The weekend is filled with activities and family time.

Though I am happy with my life and content with my situation, sometimes I wish I had a person to share life with on a daily basis.

The longing for companionship is part of being human. God created us to need other people. But, primarily, He made us to need Him. God wants to fulfill our need for companionship. He is always with us. He is there to guide us in making decisions. He is there to teach us and show us His love through our circumstances.

Since Jesus is not physically present with us, we can easily forget that He is there. As we go about our day and feel frustrated, excited or nervous, we crave the chance to share those experiences with someone. Sometimes a flesh-and-bone friend is there. But we need to remember that God is there too. His Spirit lives in every believer. Closer than a best friend, He is there to listen and show us His love in the middle of our circumstances. If we pay attention, we can be aware of His presence and experience His companionship through every part of our day. We will find His friendship to be unshakable.

Lord, thank You for being my friend and constant companion. Please show Yourself in every situation I go through. Amen.

Thought: Keep in mind throughout the day that you are not alone. God is there. Set an alarm on your phone, tape a reminder on your desk, or write a message on your hand: “God is with you. He is at your right hand.”

By Debbie West
used by permission

The post Never Alone can be found at Thoughts about God.

“No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl or under a bed. A lamp is always put on a lamp stand, so that people who come into a house will see the light.” Luke 8:16

Pam was filled with expectation as she joined the choir of her new church. “At last” she thought, “new friends to look forward to!”

The first week she was totally ignored. The second week; the third week …same thing. No one spoke to her. It was depressing and she thought, “Maybe I should quit now and forget it!”

But as Pam prayed and told God how she felt the Lord impressed upon her to “take the first step to reach out in friendship to the other members of the choir“. Talk about a scary thought! Pam was convinced no one would respond. But she gathered up her courage and guess what?  It worked!

Pam took that first step and discovered a whole room full of people anxious to talk with her!
Go ahead, my friend, make yourself friendly. Reach out. Take that first step!

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Feeling Lonely or in Despair
• Strength for the Lonely
• Alone But Not Lonely
• Loneliness by Katherine Kehler
• Never Alone
• You’re Not Alone
• Loneliness by Max Lucado

The post Break Out of Loneliness can be found at Thoughts about God.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”  Luke 5:16

All too often, holidays don’t meet expectations.  Especially Christmas.
For some, it’s filled with family times, parties, church activities, and gift exchanges.
But you may be spending this year at home alone.  Don’t fret!
(especially due to COVID)

With a little planning and a lot of prayer, this can be a wonderful holiday!

First, enjoy the quiet time with God. Allow God to speak to you through His Word.
Then, pray for Him to open doors to minister to others who may be lonely.
How about a Christmas Tea for your neighbors?

One woman stopped decorating the house after her husband’s death.
But last year she brought out the tree and lights.  It brightened her house and her spirits.
Rather than focusing on the emptiness, focus this Christmas on the fullness of life in Christ.

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Surviving Christmas: “be still and know that I am God”
• Coping with Loneliness at Christmas
• Learn more about knowing Jesus

The post Lonely Holiday can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”  Hebrews 13:5

Webster’s dictionary defines loneliness as,

“being without company; cut off from others; not frequented by human beings; sad from being alone; producing a feeling of bleakness or desolation.”

Have you ever felt lonely? Loneliness has many causes: The death of a loved one, divorce or separation, a broken engagement, a career loss or change, a move from one city or country to another. Leaving what is comfortable and familiar and moving into the unknown can be a lonely experience.

Someone once said that loneliness is not simply a matter of feeling alone, but rather the feeling that no one cares what happens to you. Most of us have felt lonely sometime in our lifetime. Feelings of rejection and abandonment are common. Even Jesus felt lonely. We need to know that someone cares about what happens to us.

What can we do to help ourselves when we feel lonely, and how can we help others?

1.  Realize that Jesus also was lonely, so He knows how you feel. Talk to Him about how you feel. (Isaiah 41: 8–10)

2.  Read your Bible every day. You will receive comfort and affirmation.

3.  Know that Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He is always there.
(Hebrews 13:5)

4.  Talk to a friend about how you feel.

If you are feeling lonely today, I also encourage you to read Facing Loneliness, by J. Oswald Sanders. It offers some excellent advice and insights.

Father, we feel so lonely at times. We need You to envelope us with Your love and attention. Thank You that You promised to meet our every need. Help us to be alert to befriend those who are lonely. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Hope for the Hopeless

•  Alone But Not Lonely

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Loneliness can be found at Thoughts about God.

Who will love me? 

I feel so old.  Unloved.  Unwanted.  Abandoned. 

I  just want to cry and sleep forever…  

It’s a cry.  Can you hear it?

The divorced.  The abandoned child.  A one-night stand.  A silent phone.  Cries of loneliness.

The most gut-wrenching cry of loneliness in history didn’t come from a widow or a patient.  It came from a hill, from a cross, from a Messiah.

“My God, my God,” Jesus screamed.  “Why did you abandon me?” (Matthew 27:46).

I think of all the people who cast despairing eyes toward the dark heavens and cry, “Why?”  And I imagine Him listening.  I picture His eyes misting and a pierced hand brushing away a tear.  He may offer no answer, he may solve no dilemma.

But he who also was once alone—understands!

By Max Lucado
Used by Permission
From:  No Wonder They Call Him Savior: Experiencing the Truth of the Cross

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:    
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

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The post Jesus Understands can be found at Thoughts about God.