Stepping Stones: Loneliness: Trusting Your Feelings Instead of God

Transformational Thought

My girls are such a blessing to me and are always surprising me with a variety of remarks that seem to slip out at the most random and cool times. Sometimes, I don’t think the lessons I am trying to get across to them actually sink in. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, their surprising statements pop out.

Tidbits like, “Dad, it seemed like you were in the room with me,” … “I felt like you were watching me,” … “I know you were there to protect me,” … “I heard you talking to me in my head,” and my favorite, “I found myself using exactly what you told me when I was little.” The interesting and amazing part is, I wasn’t even with them when they “experienced” my presence in their situations. I have tried to master the “being in two places at the same time” superpower, but you would have seen me on Oprah if I did.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could have a Father who was omnipresent (everywhere), created you, gave you life, loves you, pursues you through the ages and into the depths of your heart, perseveres despite your repeated rejections of Him, promises to always be with you, and never leaves your side?

You guessed it. You do have that Father. You are never alone. Your God is closer to you than you dare believe. He is not sitting up in heaven at the control panel, distant and disinterested in your needs and troubles. He is intimately close to you. Don’t let Satan’s lie get in your head and trick you into thinking God stranded you. Don’t let your feelings become your reality. Just because you feel alone doesn’t mean you are alone.

Today, try to be mindful of the direct connection between loneliness and your lack of awareness of how close God is to you. You’ll be surprised when you start to believe and then have faith in His promises to be by your side. You are much better off believing His promises and instruction instead of your feelings. Remember how many times your feelings tricked you in the past? Where will you place your faith, in your feelings or in God? Your decision, choose well.

Prayer
Dear God, I come to You to thank You for Your mercy and grace. I deeply desire to experience Your closeness and presence in my life. When I am aware of Your nearness I feel peaceful and content. When I fail to recognize You I feel frightened, vulnerable and lonely. Let my feelings of loneliness be a constant reminder that I need to seek Your face … and to know that the only thing I should fear is losing my connection with You. I come to You, Lord, with my ever-so-human emptiness. Fill me with Your divine presence. Fill me with life to the fullest. I pray this in the name the one who is always in Your presence, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!

The Truth
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
Psalm 41:12