when we feel alone

How do you deal with feeling like you are all by yourself or shut in? That might not be a question you are dealing with now, but it has been one I have dealt with over the last year.

There was a time we were quarantined for a couple weeks. We felt alone then. Early in the pandemic we were encouraged to keep our distance and even stay home. We felt isolated a great deal at that time.

Then, I go back in to my memory bank to the times I have dealt with depression. Not the kind that I have been diagnosed with, but I have had bouts of rough times and chosen to cut myself off for a period of time from others. I was shut off, by my own choice, during those times.

How do you deal with times like that? Good question.

I remember getting my wife and son in the car early in the spring of 2020 and just driving. Maybe for an hour or two we would discover new roads, try some different turns and enjoy time away, together but still alone.

Other days we would get lost in TV shows or a movie or two. Then there were times that being outside, out in nature just felt good. The pandemic has been tough for us all. How do we deal with it?

Turn to God. Don’t stop listening to God. Connect to what matters and what fulls your heart and your soul. Stay close to the people that feed you with encouragement and courage.

Here are some verses that scream greatness, connectedness and strength to me. They come with promises from God.

Psalm 56:3 NLT

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Psalm 62:6 NLT

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

Proverbs 3:24 NLT

You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.

Isaiah 58:11 NLT

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

That is just a few of the verses that stick out to me. I can stay close to God, and I always know He is with me, He is for me and His promises are mine no matter what.

May we life out the truth that God is with us even when we feel alone or disconnected.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog