not alone | Thoughts About God

Forsaken but not Alone

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:06:54 +0000

“I will not leave you as orphans (comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless); I will come to you” John 14:18

(Amplified) And be sure of this:

“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

When we’re going through a difficult time, we look to friends and family to be there for us. But sometimes we’re bitterly disappointed. We don’t get the support we had hoped for.

What helps me at a time like that?

I remember that Jesus also experienced lack of support from friends and family.

Knowing that soon he would be betrayed and crucified, Jesus asked three of his closest disciples–Peter, James, and John—to stay near him in the Garden and to pray for him. Then he walked a short distance away, fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to the disciples, he found them asleep. Even his dearest friends failed him at this crucial time.

No matter how well intentioned our friends are, they cannot go the whole distance with us. They have their own worries and concerns.

Suffering provides a unique opportunity for us to experience the comfort of God. Remember how Jesus was comforted? God sent an angel. God will not fail us in our need, either. He will not leave us comfortless. Suffering provides an opportunity to discover the adequacy of God. If we never experienced extreme needs, we wouldn’t know that God can meet them.

Expect Jesus to meet your needs. Often I’ve prayed,

“Jesus, you are the good Shepherd and you promised that ‘I shall lack nothing.’ But right now I do lack something. Jesus, you know what it takes for me to function as a well-balanced human being. Today I need some verbal encouragement.”

And you know what? I get a phone call, or a card in the mail, or some tangible bit of evidence that I’m thought of and prayed for.

Looking to Jesus to have my emotional needs met is so freeing. I can let go of my unrealistic expectations that friends and family will always be there for me. I can let go of the “you-guys-owe-me” attitude. I can enjoy the element of surprise and wonder how will God break into my need this time?

Thank you, Jesus, that you are with me right now and in You I have all that I need.

by Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

You are Not Alone

Devotionals — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:06:03 +0000

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

It took a lot of courage for my family to relocate from Sweden to Canada. We wanted to go to Calgary because we had friends there, but we knew that God was leading us to Vancouver. We didn’t know anyone, so that was a courageous step for us to take. We had fears and doubts but we chose to overcome them by obedience to the word of the Lord. And since we came, God has been good to us; He has proven Himself faithful and confirmed to us in different ways that we are meant to be here now.

Today’s scripture is an admonishment to you. God wants you to be strong and courageous and to choose trust despite the fears in your heart. How can you do this? By constantly reminding yourself that God is with you. He has promised to go with you as you move forward with that step of obedience He is calling you to. He never fails. Don’t allow fear of the unknown to draw you back. God is all-powerful and wise, and He says to you today, “I will go with you and not fail you.”

Heavenly Father, help us to be strong and be of good courage in whatever decision you would have us take. Help us to know that you are with us all the time and that you will not leave or forsake us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Folasade Oladapo
used by permission

FURTHER READING

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

Follow Us On: Facebook • ‘X’ Twitter • Instagram • Pinterest

The post You are Not Alone appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Held Up

Devotionals — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 08:01:30 +0000

“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” Exodus 17:12

God created us for relationship. He made us to be dependent on each other. We were never meant to live life alone. Just as the different parts of a body are dependent on one another to work most efficiently, we need each other — especially during the most difficult times.

The Israelites were in a time of war against Amalek, and when Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, and when he let his hands down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses could no longer hold up his hands on his own, his friends came around him.

I have a friend who is currently battling breast cancer. Like all who have gone through times of despair where perseverance is vital, she is in great need for people to come around her and hold her up with encouragement and support.

To feel alone and abandoned while fighting your own internal war is an overwhelming and frightening feeling. Just as Moses had friends to surround him and help anchor him for the sake of victory, we are called to do the same for those around us who need to be lifted up.

And we should also be willing to ask others to lift us up when needed. There is a tendency to isolate ourselves during challenging periods in our lives. It is the enemy’s goal to make us believe that we are alone in our circumstances and that we don’t have anybody who will come along side us and “hold up our hands.” This is so we’ll lose hope. Remember, we were never meant to “go it alone.” It may be hard, but reach out so you, too can be held up in your battles, just like Moses and my friend.

Father God, thank you that I am not alone and for being my ultimate source of strength to endure what I am going through. Help me to be the kind of friend that people can lean on during their times of difficulty so they can feel your presence around them and have a sense of hope and victory in their situation. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

In Need Of Help

Devotionals — Sun, 28 May 2023 08:03:56 +0000

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

My wife asked, “Do you really think you should do it?”

I had been sick for two days but, in my optimism, I thought I could still compete. I had successfully completed the same triathlon two years earlier.

Swimming was first, my least favorite event. Warming up and chatting with others gave me a boost of energy. Then the gun rang out, but very quickly I realized my energy was not matching my ambition. I alerted a race official in a kayak that I was not feeling good. At the first corner maker, I realized I was not just feeling bad, I was in danger. I called for help, which lead to some focused attention from the emergency medical staff.

We are commanded to meet with other believers — to encourage one another through love and good deeds. God’s commands are for two main reasons: to protect us and provide for us. In Genesis 2:18 God said it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone, so he created Eve. Today, God has created a community of believers because it is still not good for “Adam” to be alone.

I did not listen to my wife or to my body; I was, on the other hand, inspired by the other athletes. Spiritually we need the combination of both inspiration and wisdom. Inspiration motivates us to take steps of faith. Wisdom helps us know when and how to move forward. None of this happens in isolation. We place ourselves in danger when we neglect God’s commands.

Father, help me understand the danger of not responding to your command to seek the company of others that love you. God, give me the humility to both give and receive love and good deeds and to embrace not only the inspiration but the wisdom to do your will. Amen.

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission

He Holds You

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 08:01:37 +0000

He Holds You

God never leaves you alone…
He never forgets about you…

He looks out for you and takes care of you.
You are more important than the birds
He feeds and provides for.

Trusting Him means to rest in Him
as your shield, your covering, your provider,
your defender and your friend.

It means freedom from worry, anxiety and fear.
It means peace to your mind and joy to your soul.

Come to Him; He is waiting…
Lean on Him; He is strong…
Talk to Him; He is listening…
Depend on Him; He will never let you down.

He holds you within the hollow of His hands
to keep you close…to keep you safe…
to deliver you from all your fears.

by Roy Lessin
From: From God’s Heart to Yours: In His Hands.

If you don’t know Jesus in a personal way you can begin a relationship with him today. The first step is a prayer telling him you believe He is who He says He is and a second step is surrendering control of your will and life to him. These can be communicated in a simple prayer (prayer is talking to God):

“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, then you can pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

Follow Us On:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest

The post He Holds You appeared first on Thoughts About God.