Any Loneliness Lately???

As always, my hope for this blog is that the last sentence leaves you feeling more hopeful than when you read the first.

I’m not one to believe in coincidences. I'd rather think of them as God Stops.😉 So this morning I picked up my phone to play some music and a video was on the screen where it stopped playing last night. It was a message on Loneliness by Carter Conlon, Times Square Church in New York City. I’ve been to this church a couple of times. This church has meant a lot to me on this life journey because the ministry of the founder, David Wilkerson impacted my life greatly. You may have never heard of him, but may be familiar with the movie, The Sword and the Switchblade(by Billy Graham) which is about gangs in NYC and a young preacher, David Wilkerson who was called by God to minister to these gangs. Teen Challenge organization was started by David and countless lives have been freed from addiction through this ministry. 

Loneliness is not something people like to confess having experienced, but every single person who is breathing has dealt with it at some point in their lives. I deal with it frequently because for the past two years my health has prevented me…from participating in the ministries that I held so dearly in my heart. I spend a lot of time at home alone and there’s a difference in the fact that you “can” or “can’t” leave the house. 

I’m not afraid to confess this to you, but I have often “fussed” at the Lord about it. Why? Why? Why me Lord? He’s been pretty quiet most of the time!!!

Today I have my answer for part of this debacle! In listening to this message, Pastor Conlon stated that he believes that God put loneliness in the heart of people to pull the human race back to him. The ache in your heart will never be satisfied until you are fully with him. Mankind is always looking for something to satisfy himself with. 

Some are lonely because they truly are alone, of course being alone does not cause loneliness. Others are lonely because they don’t feel “good enough”, then others are lonely from grief. There are many reasons for it, but I’m thinking there’s only One cure. David was lonely when he wrote Psalm 102, Paul was lonely when he wrote 2 Timothy 4:16-18, yet they both stated that God rescues them and strengthens them. Pastor Conlon said this and I paraphrase…some of the most anointed people in the Bible were lonely at times. These people were inspired by God to write these words that are now what we call the Word of God. He also said that Jesus dealt with loneliness too or the scriptures were not true…because he suffered all things yet never sinned. No one can escape loneliness. 

I’m sure there are people who will read this blog who are married and dealing with loneliness. I’ve experienced that too. I’d rather be alone and deal with loneliness in a marriage.

We hear it on TV every single day about how our smartphones are not doing us any favors. They are truly contributing to aloneness and I believe loneliness because it’s easier to put them in front of our face than looking into someone’s eyes we are meeting on the street.

The church house is full of people each Sunday who deal with loneliness. We may have a wonderful service filled with anointed singing, worshiping and a heartfelt message, then when it’s over, right back to loneliness town! 

Loneliness causes many addictions because there’s such a hole in the soul of the person they can’t see their way out. Loneliness leads to porn addiction because the person is seeking comfort. 

Older people deal with loneliness probably as much as physical sickness. So many times they live alone and feel forgotten. Their families are too busy to take the time to visit them, because they have their lives to live. The mentality has changed tremendously towards the elderly in the last 50 years. 

Could it be that God is lonely for his creation?

Have you ever given thought to God being lonely for you? 

I haven’t until today. We need to put the loneliness to work in the kingdom of God. Ask God for compassion to be able to reach out to those who have the same cry in their heart as you do, but they don’t have the answer. YOU have the answer if you are a Christ follower. Ask God for compassion to see those people. Take the loneliness in your heart and channel it to those who need it. Weep with those who weep.

Many of the thoughts I have shared in this post are from Pastor Conlon but there’s no way I can emphasize the passion I felt when I watched him deliver this message. I am going to post the YouTube link below so you can watch for yourself. I promise that your time will not be wasted!

I have actually experienced answers to my prayers to God about the loneliness. As I said, I don’t believe in coincidences, because God has given me opportunities to minister to people over the phone, or just meet someone in a store or just randomly make an acquaintance with someone and the next thing happening is I am ministering to them. I don’t take it for granted because each time it happens, I know He’s heard me and has answered. There’s solace in that, when you know a prayer was directly answered. 

Ask God to help you feel the struggle and pain of those who live a life without Him or who are searching to fill that hole in their soul. The world we live in is so "self" and "all about me" centered. Let's purposely seek God to show us..."that person dealing with loneliness" who needs US to help them.

Lord, deliver us from all the traps that are set for the lonely soul.

I hope this post hasn’t been too “preachy” because that’s not my intent. I just know that I was supposed to speak to Loneliness today…if it helps just one, then I’m content.

You may click below then the link will appear...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfwiBjcujxs 

And as always, I have to mention one of my passions, which is Tea. I found this quote and is a great cure for loneliness!!!

Give someone some of your time today…and if possible make a pot of Tea to go with it!

“When you make someone a cup of tea, especially a proper cuppa in a teapot, you’re saying, ‘here is some of my time, we can chat if you want to but I’m going to make you a brew and drink it with you’”.   Helen Enevoldson