Realize loneliness is common to all humans.
| posted 1/30/2009
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Even if you do everything right—behave perfectly in friendships, have a heart for others, keep your life straight—the bad news is, you'll be lonely sometimes. (Even if you marry the "right person," you'll still have times of intense loneliness.) How do we know that? Because Jesus, at the worst moment of his life, was abandoned by the people he'd poured his life into. Jesus made it clear; while he was praying in Gethsemane, that he needed them: "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death." He expressed exactly what he wanted from them: "Stay here and watch with me" (26:38). But his three special friends fell asleep; not even one stayed awake.
In the rawest edges of life, it's God, and God alone, who sustains you. Everyone you know will desert you at some time. Some will willingly leave your physical presence; others will flee your companionship; still others will die. But the Lord has promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
Jesus sympathizes with you in your loneliness. He knows what it feels like to be abandoned, and he can comfort you. (See also Psalm 22; Psalm 68:4-6; 2 Timothy 4:16-18; Revelation 3:20-22.)
Good Words to Remember:
My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Matthew 26:38
Today's Challenge:
In what ways has God sustained you during your lonely times?
Copyright 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.
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