Today, Selwyn looks at another characteristic of despair – loneliness.
He concludes this study with these words: “Without … a warm relationship on a human level, how are we to make it through life? Many find themselves in this situation – perhaps you are one of them. Can Jesus succour (help and comfort) us in loneliness and save us from despair? He can. No one need be lonely, however separate from others he or she may be, if the lonely moments are used to get closer to God.”
As a rule, I tend to avoid talking about my own personal experiences, but this particular experience may be helpful to others. Just over ten years ago, my very best friend died from a form of brain cancer; and, a few years later another close friend died from lung cancer. At this time, I was also fairly busy with a number of activities; yet, in my quiet moments, I often did experience loneliness, which sometimes arose because I didn’t have someone with whom I could share the ups and downs of life. It was a background type of noise, that was always there but I was usually to busy to hear it; more importantly, the joy of knowing Jesus just drowned out those jarring moments.
A couple of years ago, I was finishing up some contract work – and was ending the lease on a unit I was renting. All the furniture had been moved out of the apartment, and I just had the carpets cleaned – they were still damp when I rolled out a sleeping bag to sleep on the floor. There was nothing to distract me; no TV to watch, no computer to use, no Bible to read, there was just a time to wait, until morning came and then, I would hand in the keys, and leave.
I was praying, thanking my Lord that all the moving activities had been achieved - and I was seeking His blessing for my future plans. I ended my prayer by saying: ‘”I’ve never felt so lonely, in regard to human company – the sense of being alone in an empty apartment, of a cold dampness surrounding me – but I give You, all I have – because you are always present. I can survive these negative feelings, by knowing You, my Lord and my God”.
As I drifted off to sleep, I thought I felt a warm blanket being placed over me, and I also felt the sense of loneliness leave me. To this day, I’ve never felt lonely again, that feeling has been taken away - I have an eternal shepherd, a God who loves me and calls me by name. You too, can know the love of our God, who can drive away all feelings of loneliness, because His Spirit lives within us!
Here are the first sixteen verses of Psalm 25 (New Living Transaltion), for reading and meditation: “O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins.
Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. … “
What are your thought on this topic of loneliness?
‘Wave to me!’
Today, Selwyn looks at another characteristic of despair – loneliness.
He concludes this study with these words: “Without … a warm relationship on a human level, how are we to make it through life? Many find themselves in this situation – perhaps you are one of them. Can Jesus succour (help and comfort) us in loneliness and save us from despair? He can. No one need be lonely, however separate from others he or she may be, if the lonely moments are used to get closer to God.”
As a rule, I tend to avoid talking about my own personal experiences, but this particular experience may be helpful to others. Just over ten years ago, my very best friend died from a form of brain cancer; and, a few years later another close friend died from lung cancer. At this time, I was also fairly busy with a number of activities; yet, in my quiet moments, I often did experience loneliness, which sometimes arose because I didn’t have someone with whom I could share the ups and downs of life. It was a background type of noise, that was always there but I was usually to busy to hear it; more importantly, the joy of knowing Jesus just drowned out those jarring moments.
A couple of years ago, I was finishing up some contract work – and was ending the lease on a unit I was renting. All the furniture had been moved out of the apartment, and I just had the carpets cleaned – they were still damp when I rolled out a sleeping bag to sleep on the floor. There was nothing to distract me; no TV to watch, no computer to use, no Bible to read, there was just a time to wait, until morning came and then, I would hand in the keys, and leave.
I was praying, thanking my Lord that all the moving activities had been achieved - and I was seeking His blessing for my future plans. I ended my prayer by saying: ‘”I’ve never felt so lonely, in regard to human company – the sense of being alone in an empty apartment, of a cold dampness surrounding me – but I give You, all I have – because you are always present. I can survive these negative feelings, by knowing You, my Lord and my God”.
As I drifted off to sleep, I thought I felt a warm blanket being placed over me, and I also felt the sense of loneliness leave me. To this day, I’ve never felt lonely again, that feeling has been taken away - I have an eternal shepherd, a God who loves me and calls me by name. You too, can know the love of our God, who can drive away all feelings of loneliness, because His Spirit lives within us!
Here are the first sixteen verses of Psalm 25 (New Living Transaltion), for reading and meditation: “O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins.
Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. … “
What are your thought on this topic of loneliness?