Loneliness (June Hunt Hope for the Heart) Read Free Page B

separation, living or working in new surroundings, rebellious adult children, conflict with friends or fellow employees
    When you turn to God in times of loneliness, taking comfort from His steadfast presence and abiding love, your life can be doubly blessed. You can experience God’s peace yourself, which empowers you to reach out to other hurting hearts. In this way, you become a living expression of God’s concern for all who experience trouble of any sort.
    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)
Major Life Changes
    Q UESTION: “When is loneliness most likely to occur?”
    A NSWER: Loneliness is felt most often when a major change in life occurs. Most of us struggle with the realities of change even when the change is ultimately for the best. Most of us resist losing both the comforting support of loved ones and the security of the old and familiar. Grief surrounding a significant loss is fertile ground for loneliness to take root and grow.
    “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1)
WHAT ARE Spiritual Causes of Loneliness?
    Fully aware of God’s sovereignty in his suffering, Job proclaims, “the hand of God has struck me” (Job 19:21).
    And yet oblivious to the fiery test of faith he is undergoing, Job believes he is being dealt with unjustly and vows he will maintain his integrity to the very end. Job accuses God of stripping him of his honor, blocking his way, and shrouding his paths in darkness. “He tears me down on every side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree” (Job 19:10).
    And to one of his cantankerous counselors who ignorantly accuses Job of sinning and calls for his repentance, Job proclaims, “ then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me ” (Job 19:6).
    When bad things happen to you and when it seems as if your whole world has changed overnight, you feel overwhelmed and “disconnected.” Nothing makes sense, and in your frustration and pain, you may blame God or feel unworthy of His love. You may ask yourself, If God loves me, why would He allow me to suffer?
    Times like these test your faith greatly as you are called to keep on believing in a loving, wise God, who understands your suffering and carries you through dark times. The truth is, it is not for you to figure out why you, or anyone, must endure suffering. That knowledge is God’s alone. In the meantime, take hope from His own promise.
    “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the L ORD , ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
    Couples often feel spiritually estranged from one another when having marital problems. It is difficult to pray with your mate and experience spiritual oneness if there is discord between you.
Prayer can be the one thing that can replace: 26
Misunderstanding with clarity
Defensiveness with security
Blaming with acceptance
Self-interest with mutual interest
Power struggles with partnership
Isolation with intimacy
Anger with patience
Dissention with peace
    “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
Estranged from God
    Q UESTION: “Why does God seem so distant when I’m lonely?”
    A NSWER: It is natural to feel deep loneliness when you experience a difficult change or painful loss in your life. But if you indulge in self-pity and become angry at God for your circumstances, you will begin to feel estranged from Him and will fail to receive His loving comfort. You will also set yourself up to SIN by ...
S ELF-PITY
    Failure to accept responsibility for staying in the rut of your own negative thinking
I NDEPENDENCE
    Seeking to escape the pain of