lonely | Thoughts About God

When Life is Not a Christmas Card

Devotionals — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:03:51 +0000

In our homes with lights aglow, stockings hung with care and cookies baking in the oven, our lives can look like a Christmas card. But sometimes it looks like something else. It can look harsher, colder, and even very lonely. Sometimes, Christmas can be hard. It doesn’t look like a Christmas card, or a happily ending Christmas movie.

What do we do when life is hard and we don’t know what to do?

Hold tight to our faith and keep our trust in God.

Sometimes, there are those things we can never fix and things that we can never change. Sometimes, there are circumstances and trials we’ll never understand, those things we’ll never know the reason why. Sometimes, we face situations that will test our faith and test our trust in God.

Faith is trusting that God is there
And knowing He is always in control.
Faith is staying close to Him
No matter what comes your way,
And believing He will meet your every need.

Faith is knowing that He loves you
And will never leave you or forsake you.
Faith is believing that in all things
He has a purpose and a plan.

Faith is knowing
You don’t have to understand it all
To keep your trust in Him.

Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

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Never Alone

Devotionals — Sat, 29 Nov 2025 08:03:33 +0000

“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

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Lonely Holiday

Thoughts_About_God — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:03:17 +0000

“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

Loneliness

Devotionals — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 09:01:16 +0000

“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

He Provides Companionship

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 21 May 2021 08:03:05 +0000

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

After 23 years in one location, we sold our farm and moved to an apartment in another city about one hour away. The day after we moved in, Marvin left on a ministry trip and I was by myself in this new location. I felt very much alone. Nothing was familiar.

I decided to go for a walk. Our apartment was close to the ocean and I looked forward to walking along the dike. I had only walked a few feet when I noticed a big black dog trotting alongside me. Real friendly. He acted like I was his owner. When we got to the beach he brought me a stick and I threw it into the water and he ran to retrieve it. We played like this for quite a while. Then he chased the ducks – but would always come back for my approval. People walking along the dike thought he was my dog. I felt good – I had a companion – even it if was only a dog.

He walked home with me, but when I was a few feet from the apartment building, he left me and I never saw him again.

The Lord knew I needed a companion that day and He provided one for an hour. My heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness and love for Him.

Father, You know all the lonely hearts that are reading this devotional. Reveal Your love for them by showing them that someone cares for them. Thank You! Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission