May 29: I am incredibly lonely. No one would even notice if I disappeared from the face of the earth!
Eccl. 1:12-18, 2, 4, 5, 6:1-9, 7:13-14, 8:7-15, 9:13-18
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].
8 Here is one alone—no one with him; he neither has child nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labor, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither does he ask, For whom do I labor and deprive myself of good? This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy business.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor;
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
11 Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
12 And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Are you lonely? Do you wonder if anyone would even notice if you disappeared entirely?
Here are some steps to overcoming loneliness:
1. Draw near to God.
James 4:8
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify yourhearts, you double-minded.
This is the time to develop your relationship with God. Most likely this is a God ordered season in your life. Spend time with your Creator talking everything out. And listening. Learn to be quiet and listen to Him. 2. Cleanse your heart.
Psalm 51:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
This will take time and persistance. Every day spend focused time cleansing your heart. Dig deep. If you cant think of anything amiss in your heart, ask God to bring stuff to the surface. And He will. It's not fun.
When I began praying, "Cleanse my heart" fervently and sincerely, ugly thoughts would pop to the surface that shocked me. Every time I would mentally sneer when I saw someone who had offended me in the past, I was reminded I had not really forgiven that person. Negative thoughts and attitudes I thought were long gone were still there, buried deep in my heart. Whaaaaat? I was shocked. So I had to look hard at these awful reflections of my heart and give them to God AGAIN. And AGAIN. And AGAIN. It was a process. Seemingly never ending.
3. Embrace loneliness.
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 27:10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Allow God to do His perfect work in you. This is only a season. Enjoy the extra time you have to get to know Jesus like never before.
4. Cast out fear of abandonment.
James 4:7-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Satan will plant questions in your mind such as, "What if I'm alone forever?" and "What if I'm so unlovable that no one will ever love me?"
Just remind satan of his future.
Revelation 20:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)
10 Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (through the ages of the ages).
5. Reach out to those less fortunate than you.
James 1:27
Amplified Bible (AMP)
27 External [a]religious worship [[b]religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.
Be kind and make yourself friendly and available to everyone, especially widows and orphans. How to do this? Volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club, for example. So many of the children there either have missing parents or parents who are not there emotionally for their children. Or ask God how you can fulfill this command.
6. Clean house! Do you have unfinished business hanging over your head? Cluttering your mind? Debt? Whatever it may be. Take steps to get rid of the clutter in your life that is hindering you from forward progress. Financial Peace is a great class to take. Dave Ramsey speaks of baby steps to take to clear up debt entirely. If you feel overwhelmed, lay your debt (or whatever the clutter in your life is) at the foot of the Cross and leave it there. And just take baby steps.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Amplified Bible (AMP)
12 Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
7. Get involved in ministry. Join the Outreach Ministry at Calvary Gospel Church. Join the Music Ministry. Sunday School is a great ministry to reach out to orphans and widows. Bus Ministry. OMGoodness there are so many opportunities out there. And you will meet so many people. And who knows. You may meet someone who has a desire to live for God just like you.
8. Beware. Sometimes there are wolves in sheeps clothing who's purposes are to steal and kill.
Matthew 7:15
Amplified Bible (AMP)
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.
Romans 16:17-27
New International Version (NIV)
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.[24] [a]
25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[b] faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
9. Spread Jesus' love everywhere you go. Be a Blessing!
Galatians 6:9-10
Amplified Bible (AMP)
9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due timeand at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[a]morally] to all people [not only [b]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].
10. Embrace the joy of the Lord.
Nehemiah 8:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)
10 Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.
"Dear God, I pray for that person out there today who is suffering from intense loneliness. Please reach down to them and comfort them. Help them to allow You to prepare them for the relationship that is to come. Help this dear child to understand that in their present condition they would probably mess up a relationship anyway. That they are simply not perfected yet. And the person You have waiting for them is probably not ready either. So please continue to do Your mighty work in this child. And bless them.And we won't forget to praise and thank You and give You the glory that belongs to You. In Your mighty name, Jesus, we pray. AMEN."
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