Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for your heart when you feel alone

When You Feel Alone
A devotional by Joy Beless

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.”—Psalm 25:16-18 (ESV)

Everyone feels lonely at some time in their life.

One of the loneliest seasons of my life was when I moved to the most populated city in the world. Surrounded by bustling crowds, everywhere I went seemed to amplify my loneliness. No one knew my name and I did not know theirs.

Loneliness can sneak up on us in the midst of transitions. Some transitions are physical, such as moving into different communities and churches. Transitions in life’s seasons can also generate feelings of loneliness, such as adult children leaving their home, the breakup of a close relationship, or the death of a loved one. Loneliness is a part of life and an emotion that blankets us without invitation.

According to a 2024 poll by the American Psychiatric Association, “30% of adults have felt lonely at least once a week and 10% say they are lonely every day.” Loneliness sneaks up on us when we do not feel emotionally or socially connected to others—even in their physical presence such as with roommates or a marriage—as well as when we are alone. With the prevalence of working remotely, watching church services online, and family units spread throughout different cities, community and emotional connectedness can be difficult to cultivate and maintain.

The times when I feel lonely and disconnected from others emotionally—and sometimes physically—God meets me in this place of despair. Like King David in the Psalms, we can pour out our hearts to God naming and identifying the specific emotions we are experiencing. The lament of David in Psalm 25 gives the example of naming the troubles of our hearts and offering them to God to carry our burdens. In Psalm 25:1-3, David names these words to describe what he is feeling and facing: lonely, afflicted, troubles, distresses, and sins. We can learn a lesson from this psalm: Our “aloneness” can be an invitation to seek God deeply and honestly. An intimate conversational prayer with God is similar to Psalm 62:8 (NIV) that reads, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

As we sort out the specifics of our circumstances that contribute to our feelings of loneliness, consider how God can be our refuge. Rather than allowing negative self-talk to cycle through our thoughts, we can picture ourselves curled up safe with God in His arms. We must remember that He is our shelter (Psalm 91:1). As we listen to God, is He guiding us to a truth about our situation or an action to take in our circumstances? Is there a place of wounding God desires to be present with us and bring healing? Perhaps the name of a person surfaces in this sacred space so that we can reach out and talk through what seems to be a wound or hurt in this time of need.

I remember praying to find a heart friend, day after day. I decided to pray “big” for a friend within walking distance of this big foreign-to-me city. At the same time, another woman was also praying the same prayer, and through circumstances, we reached out to each other. Not allowing our different nationalities to stand in the way, we became lifelong friends and sisters-in-Christ. Paul encourages us through the letter to the church in Corinth, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT).”

Aloneness is an opportunity to look to the Triune God: Our Heavenly Father (God) who created us in his image, Jesus Christ (God’s Son and our Savior), and the Holy Spirit (our counselor and guide). We can see God as the Lover of our soul, our Comforter, and the Giver of peace.

Remember what God says to us in Hebrews 13:5b (ESV): “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He is with us and present, even in times of loneliness.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for understanding the emotion of loneliness and our need for the scriptures that point us to Your heart of compassion and love. We are grateful You are our place of refuge and comfort. As our society becomes increasingly digitalized, show us how to remain connected to one another as the Body of Christ. Give us the courage to reach out to others who also are struggling with loneliness.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “You’re Not Alone” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Joy Beless is a worshipper of God and lover of people. 

A practicing Spiritual Director, she is a speaker for retreats and conferences and facilitates guided solitude retreats at the family ranch in North Texas.

A seasoned worship leader and songwriter, she frequently weaves worship, God’s Word and spiritual practices together. She is a chapel provider for a shelter for the houseless and a certified Grief and Trauma Healing Facilitator. Serving at global retreats for Kingdom-minded women delights her soul.

She has written for Global Trellis and Missio Nexus. She connects God’s Word with the reality of our daily in all the ups and downs.

Joy is married to Roger. They live in Coppell (Texas). Joy is called "JoJo" by her nine adorable grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors and encourages flowers to grow in the Texas heat.

~*~
Connect with Joy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joy.beless
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.beless/
Website: www.joybeless.org

Devotionals for the Heart: A reminder that YOU are NOT Alone

Note to self: You are not alone
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“Look to the Lord and His strength: seek His face always.”

 ~1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

Sunny days bring sounds of laughter and play outside. Rainy days bring peaceful sounds of raindrops tapping on the roof. Cloudy days often bring sounds of gentle breezes blowing through the trees beckoning times of rest. On any of these days, someone may feel alone. A person can feel alone even while surrounded by a crowd of family or friends or strangers.

As we experience the moments of our lives, we often get caught up in day-to-day activities. Work, house cleaning, laundry to wash, meals to prepare, bills to pay, errands to run and so much more: Meetings, church events, afterschool activities, letters and/or emails to read and a seemingly unending list of “to do’s”.

Being busy does not make us fulfilled. There may be a person you know who shows a big smile and a sweet attitude. They appear to have life in order and all seems to be wonderful. But, do we pause and truly visit with that person? Do we pause and share a smile with a stranger?

Do we assume everyone is “okay” because they don’t share their sadness with others? If everything looks fine on the outside, do we just move on with our lives? Are our days filled with rushing here and there, to fulfill the daily task list?

With many questions to ponder, there are many ways to seek the Lord and His strength. Seek Him always. In the rush of life, seek Him. In the quiet of life, seek Him. When you see a friend or a stranger, offer a smile. Look the person in the eyes and smile. Say hello.

Each one of us has felt alone at times. We are blessed to know we are never truly alone. God is always with us.

During my times of loneliness, depression and anxiety have tried to creep in my thoughts. I am thankful God has given me doctors to help. I am thankful for family, friends and even strangers who share a smile and a “Hello.”

Reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible), sharing time with God and sharing thoughts with others are reminders I am not alone.

Peace and comfort come over me whenever I seek the Lord. The peace and comfort only He can provide. Trying to solve loneliness or sadness on my own doesn’t work for me. Only when I seek Him, the powerful reminder of 1 Chronicles 16:11 shows me that I am never alone.

So even on those days when life is full of activities and time flies by, I will remind myself of His love and comfort. As the title of my devotional today says, “Note to self: You are not alone.”

Amen.

Blessings,

Melissa Henderson

~*~
Author Bio:

Melissa Henderson and her husband Alan live in South Carolina.

Married for over 38 years, they have one son (Mike) who is married to daughter-in-love (Christine) and now are blessed by a precious grandson (Rowan).

Melissa was taught the love of reading and writing at an early age from her parents. She is now working on her first inspirational fiction novel.

Her passions are volunteering, Bible Studies, reading and writing. Connect with Melissa online, https://mimionlife.wordpress.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Reunions

Best Friends Forever
A devotional by Dana McNeely

If you live in the United States of America, you may be familiar with the term "BFF" which when people are talking about friendships, means "Best Friends Forever." 

Have you ever longed for a BFF or do you have plenty? Today, I'd like to talk about what my high school reunion taught me about having an Ultimate BFF and the Ultimate Reunion that only He can orchestrate!

My Recent Reunion

Earlier this month, my husband and I attended our joint high school class reunion. I won’t tell you what year we celebrated but I will say that it was a BIG year. We both graduated from a small Christian High School in the town we still live in, but we’d rarely seen any of our classmates over the years. Yet it was so easy to step back into time and revisit friendships.

On Friday night, we sat together in the stands and cheered the team at homecoming football game. On Saturday afternoon/evening we mingled at a classmates home, in the westernmost nether regions of town, braving rain-filled potholes and a stretch of dirt road.

Back to the Future

It was so easy to reconnect after (ahem, mumble) years. We laughed and teased and reveled in each other’s stories. We celebrated milestones, admired pictures of grandchildren, and more than once, we commiserated over hardships, sorrows, and deaths.

I was reminded of the 1985 movie, Back to the Future, in which 17-year old Marty McFly accidentally time-travels thirty years into the past where he must make sure his then-teenage parents meet and fall in love so that he will be born. This movie explores how fate, chance, and a little mad science might shape a life’s direction. Those of us who love God know He directs our lives, not fate or chance, but there were parallels between this time-traveling tale and my high school reunion.

Like Marty’s parents, several in our high school had married each other. Most of our lives had taken surprising turns. Some had maintained very close friendships and some hadn’t seen each other since graduating. But we all felt that bond of shared experiences of the past – old ties still unbroken. When the evening ended, we left reluctantly, vowing to do better at keeping in touch.

The Ultimate BFF

Even though we’d been physically separated for many years, we were all still friends. Good friends! How can that be? 

I’ve mentioned some of the actions that define friendship for me: Caring, listening, sharing stories, laughing, commiserating, and celebrating . . . and this group of old friends shares something more – a common faith in the lover of our souls. God is the Author of all true friendship, but the friendship between Christians has an extra spiritual dimension because we bring God’s wisdom and direction into our conversations.

For example, Exodus 33:11 describes how Moses talked face-to-face with God in the tent of meeting. They were friends! Moses wasn’t perfect, gifted, or powerful, yet God chose him. His human weakness and imperfection forced Moses to rely on God for wisdom and direction. It’s that way for all of us. When we face difficulty, we can ask God for help.

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) says it best: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Whether God uses a Christian spouse, brother, or sister to help us in time of trouble – or some other means – we are never alone, because God is our friend, just as he was Moses’s.

What a friend we have in Jesus!

Early in my Christian life, I learned a song with the words “I am a friend of God – He calls me friend.”

“A nice idea,” I thought for years. “But kind of conceited. You think God is friends with lowly humans? Where’s the proof for that?” Silly me. It’s everywhere – in Scripture and in the world around us. But the first time the truth of God’s friendship slammed into me, I found it in John 15. 

Here is the poignant passage from John 15 that brings tears to my eyes every time when I read it: 

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” –John 15:9-12 (NIV)

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” 
–John 15:13-15 (NIV)

The Ultimate Reunion

God is your Best Friend Forever. He has known you from before you were born, and He loves you. And if you’ve been apart awhile, God is always ready to reaffirm His love for you.

Now it’s your turn! In the comments below, please share your thoughts on friendship with God and with others. I’ll be dropping by several times today and the rest of the week to chat.

~*~
Author Bio:

Inspired by the Bible story of Elijah and the widow’s son, Dana McNeely wondered why the prophet had come to stay with these two. Who were they? What was their life, before? And how did the boy change after dying, seeing the other world … and coming back?

Dana began research for her novel, “Rain,” which tells the story of the three-and-a-half-year drought from the boy’s perspective.

No stranger to drought, Dana lives in an Arizona oasis with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and migrating butterflies. She writes biblical fiction, cozy mysteries, and has written for magazines and newspapers. Her short story “Death in the Butterfly Garden” appears in SoWest: Killer Nights (2017).

Connect with Dana on Facebook, Twitter, or DanaMcNeely.com.