Tag Archives: Loneliness

Why Is This Happening to Me?

1 May 2012

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He is the Almighty; His strong arms are holding you right now.

Have you ever asked yourself this question before? I know I have… many times. Let me share something very personal with you. I’ve been married for 12 years now to a wonderful man of God. From the beginning, we both wanted children. Two years into our marriage we found out we were not able to conceive. Six years later, we began looking into our options, which failed miserably. I won’t give you all the details, but just know that it’s been one of the most difficult times in my life. During that time, we had moved to another city, away from our church and family due to my husband’s work. It was a very lonely time for both of us.

I became bitter and angry.

Maybe you’ve experienced something similar or are currently facing the storm… you lost your dreams to have a “normal” family – you survived…

Or maybe you:

  • Lost a loved one – you survived…
  • Lost your husband to divorce – you survived…
  • Lost a baby – you survived…
  • Lost your home – you survived…
  • Lost your identity due to rape or abuse – you survived…

What I have learned is that in the midst of my pain, God always has a plan for me. As I sit here watching the birds sit on my guayava tree, I can’t help but to remember the song that ministered to me so many years ago. I play it back and tears roll down my chin, but this time of pure joy in my heart. Here’s the chorus:

“This is what it means to be held

How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive

This is what it is to be loved and to know

That the promise was when everything fell

We’d be held”

Held by Natalie Grant

Link to hear the song on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOufqWodFNo

Today, allow yourself to be Held by the Lord. Remember what God has done for you in the past and be confident that He will continue to be the same today as well as tomorrow. Everything will work out just fine. Trust His plans for you. They are only good. Although you may not see the outcome just yet, know that He is the Almighty; His strong arms are holding you right now.

Rest in His Word: 2 Corinthians 12:9

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV)

Heart Checkup:

  • Reflect back on the difficult times in your life… write them down
  • Ask yourself, “How is it that I got through them?”
  • State the following: “I survived then, I will survive now.”

Never Alone

22 October 2011

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As darkness and fear creep into your mind and heart, know that you are NEVER alone. The Lord is your Shepherd; He is constantly watching over you.

In weakness and pain, we can sometimes feel that God has abandoned us. We believe we are left alone to defend ourselves from the monstrous events in our life. Then feeling defeated, we get deeper into our black hole… we’re resentful, angry and deeply wounded. Does this sound like you? Well, let me tell you what hope you have in Jesus.

As darkness and fear creep into your mind and heart, know that you are NEVER alone. The Lord is your Shepherd; He is constantly watching over you. He tends to your deep wounds and shines His light unto the murky path. If you are lacking trust and faith in Jesus, your Shepherd, I invite you to get to know Him. The following verses talk about His good intentions for you:

  • Our Shepherd – “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11) And – “The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.”  (Psalm 23)
  • Good Shepherd – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
  • Great Shepherd – “Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood.” (Hebrews 13:20)
  • Head Shepherd – “And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.” (1 Peter 5:4)

Jesus explains the difference between a good shepherd and a hired hand in John 10:12-14

12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will leave the sheep because they aren’t his and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he is merely hired and has no real concern for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, He willingly lays his life for them. The sheep are his and he loves them”

Jesus knows His sheep. He knows you by name. He knows your likes, your dislikes, your secrets and innermost fears. And regardless of all your imperfections, He gave His life for you!

There is no greater love for one over the other. He loves them ALL the same. He loves the older sheep as well as the younger sheep. It doesn’t matter how long you have walked with the Lord, you will always need His care. We all need to be ready to hear his voice and run to Him for safety.

The good shepherd cares deeply about His sheep. In Isaiah 40:11 it tells us He tends to them. When the Lord lovingly attempts to care for your wounds, do you resist? Sometimes we run away due to our own fears, not wanting to feel the pain, we run away from God. Instead, He tells us in Matthew 11: 28, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Take a step toward him. You say, “Well I have no strength. My problems are so overwhelming and consuming that I have no more energy to walk.” I have good news. This is where the Lord carries you through your trials. Just let Him pick you up. Don’t resist.

Aren’t you glad He is your Shepherd? I am.

Rest in His Word: Psalm 23: 1

“You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.”

Heart Checkup:

  • Has the Lord been your Shepherd or have you been led astray?
  • Ask God to show you the ways He has been your Shepherd.
  • Praise and give thanks to the Lord for always supplying your needs.

 

The Tree of Life

3 May 2010

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Failures and difficulties will manifest in life; it’s our attitude that will determine the outcome.

Life can feel dry, unproductive and meaningless when the unexpected happens – when life hits and you are not ready. You weren’t ready to hear your husband was unfaithful. You weren’t ready to hear your wife has cancer. You weren’t ready to hear your child is using drugs. You just weren’t ready…

We can feel so far away from God. We feel far away, but God is always near. What if we turn our thoughts to him, instead of focusing on ourselves? What would happen? This can be scary. Somehow we believe that by thinking and worrying we are in control. But are we? Are you?

It is not an easy task to search God in the midst of the unexpected. The key is in delighting in God’s Word… meditating in it… savoring every word… keeping it captive in our hearts and minds! Psalm 1:2-3 says this: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

Failures and difficulties will manifest in life; it’s our attitude that will determine the outcome. God knows what is best for you. He knows His word will nourish and satisfy your thirst. If you feel dry, won’t you ask God to rain on your heart?

Today, I encourage you to write your pain, your dryness, and your meaningless thoughts. Write the date – and be ready to be amazed at what the Lord will do. There is power in words… release them and give those worries to the Lord! Revisit these thoughts in the future – this will remind you of what the Lord has done in your life.

Following are my thoughts during a painful time in my life. Today, I can say that it pays to keep our focus on the Lord. Truly we are trees planted by streams of water!

The Tree of Life

As the rising Sun caresses your skin

And your beautiful feet firm on the ground

The air dances with your hair

And my nose receives the sweet aroma of your greatness

I observe as the ant supports itself with your life

Going up and down your belly so patiently

Trusting that God will supply it constantly

I’m inspired by your strength and courage

By not moving day or night

And at the same time I’m jealous for not producing life

As you do so graciously

Rest in His Word: Psalm 92: 1-5

“It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!”

Heart Checkup:

  • What thoughts are consuming my time and energy?
  • Why haven’t I given these worries to the Lord?
  • What worry thoughts can I give God today?