Have you stood in a room with over a 100 people feeling lonely and depressed? Ever wondered why on earth, we were created to walk this journey of life? With all the turmoil in this world, why are we even here?
Feeling Lonely And Depressed
I remember when I was a single mom raising my son Brandon before meeting Andre, I felt lonely. When I tried to express my mental state to others, they would ask; how can you feel alone when you have a son?
If any of you are single, or even married and don’t have what I call “real friends” you know exactly what I mean.
Christmas was great for Brandon, but lonesome for me; even going to church felt lonely. After meeting Andre, getting married, and having our daughter Trinity, I still felt alone. Even while trying to succeed as a wife, mother, and child of God.
I was so wrapped up in my unhappiness that I wasn’t an effective participant in the kingdom of God. I mean, who wanted to serve at church and putting on a fake smile, when deep down, inside, they’re not happy?
Seclusion
Often times the troubles of life cause us to seclude ourselves from others. As a result, we think we can handle life by ourselves. Consequently, that leads to destruction, depression and doubt of our very own existence.
After getting tired of feeling that way, I petitioned God to send me a friend, a mentor, a godly woman to help in my Christian walk. Not only did I pray, but I choose to participate in a women’s bible study even though I didn’t “feel” like it. And it was in that process of surrendering; God answered my prayer.
Importance of Fellowship
I was very grateful to have a woman of God, Lorri Conover, who reached out to me and walked beside me as a sister in Christ to encourage my role as a wife, a mother, and a friend.
That relationship affected my everyday life, and helped shaped my future to walk in the purpose God had for me. If it wasn’t for her taking the time to help me recognize I was important to God and to the body of Christ, I would have continued to walk down the path of separation with an empty life that gave me no hope.
If you read our book, Embracing God’s Priorities, you may remember that Lorri and her husband Ed were our mentors before they both went home to be with the Lord. They taught us the very principles of God’s Priorities. Just think if they had not sown into us, this blog would not even exist today!
Prevent Feeling Lonely And Depressed
Being in relationship with others helps prevent feeling lonely and depressed. However, it’s important to be in relationship with the right people. People who will hold you accountable to the standards of God, and not judge you in the process.
We are told repeatedly in the New Testament to love God with all our heart and mind and to love people (Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27, Mark 12:30-31, John 13:34-35). Meaning, our relationship to God, and each other is the key to a happy, joyful life, and pleasing to God.
In The End
While our time on earth is but for a moment, let’s purpose to make the most of it through our relationships with each other. We were created to worship God, to be in fellowship with Him and one another.
You may be feeling down, lost, broken and maybe even broke. Nevertheless, when you choose to do life “together” with God, friends, family and the body of Christ, you will discover that you have a purpose, and that you have all you need.
~ Timberley Gray
Thank you for this msg. I’ve been struggling with loneliness
since David has been gone.
Loneliness is such a tough one. Religions, psychotherapists — they try, they’re tools that at least have to be tried. But other than the practitioners of those two groups, who knows what to say a person who clearly shows signs of loneliness? Do we assume the older woman who goes home to her 3rd floor apartment alone and always alone is also always lonely? And so then if we assume such, do we make an effort, only to find out she’s offended by our intrusion?
I am no expert on anything. Except my own bouts of loneliness. My only advice to myself (and if it helps anyone else, it’s open source advice lol) is to make an effort to say hello. Or if you’re a guy, do the nod and mumble at the very least. Connecting doesn’t “cure” my loneliness, nor do other therapeutic “tools.” It does get me out of myself, even for a few seconds. And i’ve been told i have an uneven yet decent sense-of-humour, so making someone smile at me or with me or through me is kinda cool.
And, well, obviously there’s always the internet. A fantasy life at times can be healthier than passive, numbing lenely apathy!
I have 2 young ladies that have nothings at, but they call , there single , I’m happily married, I keep encouraging the right person will come stay in faith and whir you wait have a good time, go to movies with your same age group, I think one missed the Mama guidance. Mama was very busy in ministry. I pray a favorable results. ❤️
I really needed to read this. Thank you Jesus. This holiday has been lonely and hard. My husband was away stuck in snow storm, my nanny passed this past January, ( she was my mom more so because when mom and dad abandoned me she was there) my kids with their dad and I was sick. I felt so alone. Then I was reminded I’m never alone. Emmanuel (God is with us). Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. thank you for articles and prayers.❤️
Oh sweet sister I am so sorry and stopping to pray for you right now. I am so happy God brought you comfort and hope in your time of need. God bless you sister. ~ Timberley