Feeling alone…

Loneliness can be felt by any one of us, at any time & in the most surprising of settings.

Welcome dear friend, come & sit with me for awhile as we reflect upon this strange emotion while sipping our cuppa’s together.

I have prepared a hot cup of Creme Brulee tea, which is absolutely delicious & have a few slices of the most deliciously moist gf fruit cake especially baked for me by an old friend.

In the years I spent as a mental health professional I have met many people who felt alone, lonely or immersed in the feelings of loneliness in the situations that were impacting their lives.

I’m sure most of us can relate to this emotion at some point in our life.

So what is this thing called loneliness?

The dictionaries define it as;

“Solitary, isolated, unfrequented, sad because of being companionless.”

However I believe this definition is a little too simplistic.

There are many ways to feel alone or lonely, they are not necessarily being isolated, solitary or companionless.

Let me personalize this for you…

There was a time in my life many years ago, before I was a registered Therapist, when I went through a very difficult situation with a significant Other in my life.

In other words loneliness is a state of mind…it isolates us within our own thoughts, feelings & emotions…

During that time I felt I could not share the situation with those who cared.

I was already totally overwhelmed & could not deal with the emotions of others that I knew sharing would evoke.

But through that time a new growth in my faith occurred, as I knew deep down that I was not spiritually alone as the God of the universe had promised;

“I will never leave you,

nor will I ever forsake you, so that we can confidently say, the Lord is my Helper,

I will…[be brave]” 

Hebrews 13:5-6

Trusting in the above promise gave me courage to sought God’s guidance & direction for the intolerable situation.

Through much prayer & fasting for major change.

God answered my prayers, a major change did occur.

But it was not in this significant Other. It happened in me!

I came to realize, through God’s Word, pastoral advice & circumstances that our Heavenly Father does not expect us to be in a situation that is dangerous & toxic to our wellbeing.

I also came to realize that the patterns of behaviour that had been & were being acted out, solely belonged to this Other.

For I had gone above & beyond, time & time again in my love & support for them throughout the years but they had refused to acknowledge & accept my support.

And finally, I realized...

We can’t help those who don’t want to be helped or acknowledge their need for help!

Only God can help them, if they allow Him!

But we can take all the necessary steps to protect our own heart from their destructive behaviour towards us.

That greatly impacts our life & the lives we are responsible for…

“ Guard your heart [dear ones] for it is a wellspring of life…” 

Proverbs 4:23

So, dear friend, let me assure you that whatever situation you are facing you are not alone.

As there is a mighty Heavenly Father who deeply loves & cares for you.

Even when your thoughts, feelings & emotions may try to convince you otherwise!

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

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