Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Help (02/20/06)
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TITLE: Help for the Lonely of Heart | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lynne Fickett
02/25/06 -
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One of the most difficult things for me to acknowledge is that of asking for help; nevertheless, I find myself at the last resort calling out to trusted friends to pull me out of the quagmire that I have been wallowing in. I realize that my life has run amuck due to my own inattention to my own spiritual welfare. My heart is missing the joy that once lifted me and I have been struggling with dissatisfaction with my life—a vague sense of loneliness has slowly overshadowed me. Loneliness is not something that usually overcomes me, but just recently I have experienced it in a desire for male companionship. The remedy for what ails me is not that difficult for me to diagnose—my relationship with God has been distant to the point that I feel embarrassed with my lack of attention. The remedy to this barren feeling is to draw close to God and read His Word.
I’m not sure when I lost my way: maybe moving into a more solitary existence, without a lot of changes to my life and routine; I have become isolated, lonely, and stagnant in my daily life. Mentally, I know the source of the loneliness and I also know what the remedy is. I make things so much harder for myself than I need to by not throwing myself whole-heartedly into the task at hand. Just sitting down in a comfy chair and reading God’s word and spending time with Him is all that is required. For some unfathomable reason I make every excuse to not sit and spend the necessary time to nurture myself with the spiritual food which is my help and sustains me through everything that comes my way. As I ponder my situation of loneliness I realize that it is truly a laziness of spirit that keeps me even more inert; I need to be seeking revival of my soul and spirit and to just do it!
One helpful aspect I thought that I had learned from in the recent past is that making a plan is essential for whatever ails you; it is a God-given tool, which when employed, can provide added purpose to the resolve that change is needful to successful living. Obviously I haven’t learned as much as I hoped, since I am making another pass over this problem in my life. With regard to loneliness, it needs to become part of the plan to be at peace—The apostle, Paul in Philippians 4:7 states:
And the peace of God, which surpasses all
comprehension, shall guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I can recall many times being lonely in a room crowded with people, and feeling completely at peace alone; spending a quite time reading the Bible and listening to God speaking to me about my life.
Emotions can seem to be in control of us, but, in truth, we are not subject to them unless we make the choice to allow them free reign in our lives. In my situation I can allow my emotions, presently that of loneliness, to dominate my thoughts to the point that I act foolishly or to succumb to depression. I have the help of a Savior, Jesus Christ, and a Helper—the Holy Spirit to guide me. I know where to find a safe place where I can examine my feelings and situate myself, first in God’s Word, and then on ways that I can engage with others in interests similar to my own or just to be around others and experience life.
In my life loneliness need not take control over me. Help is available for just about everything in life. When we give our trust to the Lord, He is faithful to provide stability, companionship, and love—without exception.
Quote from the New American Standard Bible
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