Loved & Not Alone

There are times in life when we feel so alone, as if we have no one to care for us or look after us. Not because the people don’t exist, but more because at that particular time, we feel like they are far from us and cannot meet the particular need for affection, a listening ear or a warm hug. There are times when I feel like I have over-used the people around me and I just don’t want to bother them. Sometimes it’s because the issue bothering me cannot be discussed freely and I feel scared to open up to people. Whatever the cause, the fact is that at those times, loneliness creeps in quietly and strongly. With no one to turn to for help, what do we do?

I went to bed feeling that way last night. Lo and behold, this morning, I woke up with a delightful word from the Lord, telling me, ‘Consider the lilies’. That was all I heard. ‘Consider the lilies’. I sat up and looked for my phone and Googled the phrase. Up came Matthew 6:25-34. I read the whole passage. I read it over again.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Then I remembered a passage that talked about the hairs of our head being numbered. I looked for that also in Matthew 10:29-31. I read it, over and over.

 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Then I recalled a place where it said in old age, God will look after us. I found that in Isaiah 46:4. I gobbled it up.

Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Then Jeremiah 31:3 came up, talking about God’s everlasting love for me. I lapped it all up!

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

 What a lovely encouragement to wake up to!

While I was just rounding up my Bible reading, a friend called and wanted to just find out how I was. Calling for no reason, other than to check on me! How do you think I feel now?

I feel loved and lifted. I feel sorted. My issue from last night has not suddenly vanished, but I have God’s assurance that I needed to start off this day. I went on to pray thereafter and I feel so much better than when I first woke up!

How wonderful God is! A very present help in trouble is Who He is indeed! I hold on to His words of love and encouragement and I know everything is alright. It may not look like it, but the most important thing is that I am reminded that I am not alone in this. God is with me, holding my hand, guiding me through it. Much like I would hold the hand of my child when an injection is being administered or they are going through a painful medical process. I can’t stop the process because I know it is for their good. So I stand there, holding their hand and encouraging them that it will soon be over and everything is under control.

Where are you today? What may seem to be the difficult issue you’re dealing with? What is the state of your heart? Do you feel lonely and alone in your suffering? Don’t despair. God is right there with you, holding your hand, talking you through it. Look to Him. Turn to Him for help. Cry out. You don’t have to do this alone. When you call on Him, He will answer you. He will show up and help you. He is our very present help in trouble. Be assured. He is in charge of everything!