Never Alone

 Hebrews 13.5b NLT

…For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.

 

The thoughts linger. Will I ever get a hand to hold? Will I ever know what it feels like to be fully loved and fully known? Will I ever meet the right person who makes me laugh, dries my tears, and comforts me with their presence? Why does it seem that everyone else has found their person except me? Then the condemnation kicks in. What is wrong with me?

These thoughts can run rampant in the mind. The desire for companionship is a good one. God did say in Genesis that it was not good for man to be alone. So, it can be very frustrating when it seems that being alone is life's trajectory. Loneliness is pervasive and all-consuming. It is painful to have the longing for togetherness and daily surrender it. It is important to feel the different emotions that loneliness can solicit. The key is to offer them up to God.  I have found that God is the greatest Listener. He promises us that He will never fail or abandon us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He sees us and with Him, we are fully known and fully loved. I don’t know if I will ever get married. My heart cries out for a husband and a family of my own. However, I don’t know if those desires will come to pass. What I do know is that God is faithful. I do know that He gives good gifts to His children. I do know that His love is better than life. I can be honest with God in prayer and tell him how I feel. He hears me. He understands me. He is the truest Friend. It is vital that when we are plagued by loneliness, we rehearse the truth of God’s word. The truth is that we are never alone. God is with us. There is nothing wrong with us. God makes everything beautiful in its time. Here are some strategies that I have found helpful in overcoming loneliness.

1.      Spend time with Jesus- Spend time talking to God and listening to what He has to say through His word. Be honest with Him about your emotions. His Presence is like a Healing Balm for the soul. Be honest. Be raw. Be real. He can handle it. Surrender your desires to Him. Remember that He is your Source. He is Your Portion. He is enough. So, have a candid conversation with Your Creator. He longs to hear from His children. He alone is the Great Healer.

2.      Spend time with loved ones. Have a conversation with a friend. If you feel as if you don’t have any friends, be a friend. Volunteer and serve others who are less fortunate. You will find that when the focus is on helping others, you will not be so consumed with your own emotions, and you will be more content.

3.      Get involved with hobbies. Try to do something new. You will find that you will meet like-minded people who are interested in the same activities that you are interested in. A great way to bond with people is to have a common interest.

4.      Don’t isolate yourself. You will  never meet people locked away in your room. Try to introduce yourself at a gathering. Attend events at church. You don’t have to be extroverted. Try to make a connection with one person at a time. You can do it! You have what it takes.

5.      Remember that you are not alone in your struggles or your pain. God sees and knows you intimately and you have brothers and sisters in Christ who are going through similar things that you are. It takes great courage to be vulnerable. Pray and ask God for discernment to reveal who you can trust. Ask Him to send you friends, real friends, that You can be transparent with. He will provide relationships that are centered on Him.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 NLT