Loneliness

Have you ever sat in a crowded room and felt completely alone? Ever felt like no matter how many friends you have on your facebook page, or in your phone contact list, you were all by yourself? I have certainly felt these feelings. In fact, it started very early in life for me...

When I was a young girl, I realized very quickly that I was much different than my family. My parents and my two siblings are not affectionate people. They aren't huggers, or even touchers for that matter! They aren't the type to end a sentence with "I love you". I, however, am a BIG HUGGER. I touch people even just as I tell a story. My love language is physical touch. So as a young girl, I can remember saying, "GOODNIGHT! I LOVE YOU!!" And not hearing it echoed back. So, I did what anyone in my shoes would do, I cried myself to sleep. 

Now before you go judging my parents and my siblings, they are good people! I love them dearly to this day. I am thankful for them. But, they didn't know how to speak my love language. And as a result, I felt alone. Interestingly enough, loneliness became a theme in my life. I was everyone's (double extrovert here so I do mean everyone!) friend. If anyone needed anything, they could count on me. However, when I needed something, there was no one to call. As a 14 year old girl, I recall sitting in my living room crying and explaining to my dad that I had no friends and I felt alone. He explained to me that the Lord was preparing me for ministry because it was a very lonely place. I thought he was crazy....I didn't want to be lonely my whole life! But you know what? He was right! 

I became a young adult and married early. and guess what?! I STILL FELT LONELY! I couldn't escape the feeling, no matter how much I tried to fill my life with people or things. 

I could go into several specific incidents but I think you understand, because I think many people feel this way. So what on earth do we do about it? 

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." 

Here we find three truths that we can take comfort in. 

1. The Lord goes before me. There is absolutely nothing that I face that doesn't pass through God's hands first. 

2. He will be with me. Not only does God know what will happen, but He promises to go through it with me...this means I am ABSOLUTELY NEVER ALONE!

3. He will never fail or forsake me. God cannot fail. He promises he will not forsake me- this means He won't abandon me. 

Then we see that because of these things, we don't have to fear or be dismayed (we don't need to be afraid). 

I also want to give you three practical steps you can take to help overcome loneliness.

1. Take care of yourself physically. It's so important we do something to relieve stress and emotions. Sometimes our feelings are just that- feelings, and when we properly exercise and rest, we can have better control of our feelings. 

2. Stop expecting everyone to love like you love, and care like you care. Instead, love like Jesus and expect nothing in return. Choose to make an impact in five people's lives per day. Ways to do this are simple: bless someone unsuspectingly, pay a compliment to a stranger, text someone something encouraging.

3. Volunteer. Yes you read that right. Volunteer at a local shelter, food pantry, your church, an orphanage. Help people. 

Praying that all who read this will find a friend in Jesus. Jesus loves you, and I do too!