You are here: Home / Archives for Emotions / Loneliness

Taking From The Lord, His Best For My Blessing

April 28, 2013 By 23 Comments
DO YOU EVER WONDER IF YOU REALLY DESERVE GOD'S BLESSING? You do! You are precious to Him! And when you cope with daily pain and illness He understands your weariness, your exhaustion of trying to hold it all together. This #devotional writer shares her thoughts on receiving God's blessings.

Do you ever feel you fall short of deserving God's blessings? Kerryn shares her journey in "the asking" and receiving of God's blessings. “God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it” (Numbers 23:19-20). I need you, Lord! “I'm right here with you, My child.” I need you, Lord! “I'm right beside you My precious daughter.” I need you, Lord! “I'm all you need My princess, My heir, My joy.” Sometimes I feel like I'm a little toddler, asking continually for reassurance from my Abba Father. He's sooooooo much more patient than … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Loneliness, Spiritually Struggling, What's New?

God is Running The Show–Despite Our Illness Battle

April 24, 2013 By 20 Comments
WHEN LIFE PUSHES YOU DOWN, DO YOU REMEMBER WHO IS 'RUNNING THE SHOW'? Does having faith in the fact that God is in control and He has a purpose help you cope with the hardships and tragedies in life? This #devotional writer explains...

Note from Lisa: Deni's husband passed away the day this posted. Please keep her and entire family in your prayers. "He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate." (Psalm 111:4) It's uncomfortable to realize that, right now, my husband is being kept alive by blood transfusions and platelet infusions. His chemotherapy didn't eradicate the leukemia. Our doctor searches for new options. It was even more unsettling to have him text me while he was getting his transfusions/infusions, "Nurses say there's a nationwide shortage of platelets." My mind went into almost immediate panic mode. What if there were no more platelets available for him? He could die. Not wanting him to realize the depth of my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Grief, Loneliness, What's New?

I Don’t Want to Sit Alone

April 20, 2013 By 18 Comments
DO LITTLE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE, LIKE SITTING ALONE, INCREASE YOUR ANXIETY? "Little things" in our life can make or break us some days. Fortunately, we have a God who cares about the little things as much as the big ones. #devotional

If you have ever felt an increase of anxiety, for example when you sit alone somewhere, you aren't alone. Fiona Burrows shares. . . “And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. . . . your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:29-31) Chronic illness seems to often cause us to worry more than people who are without it. With worry has come an increase in my insecurity. I become insecure and anxious about things that may not have concerned me before. I’ve never liked having to arrive places on my own, wondering if anyone will speak to me, sit with me--or whatever. Even though I’ve been at the same church all my life, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Depression, Devotionals, Loneliness, What's New?

Does Illness Ever Make You Feel Like a Cry Baby?

April 12, 2013 By 13 Comments
EVER FEEL LIKE A CRY BABY? Sometimes we go through seasons in our life when all we do is cry--and our illness or side effects can make the tears flow even more easily. But is crying really a bad thing? No. This devotional shares why tears are not a bad thing.

Physical and emotional changes can leave us feeling like a "cry baby" sometimes, but God takes special care in treasuring our tears. Vicki explains. . . “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. . . a time to weep and a time to laugh. . . (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)” I’m good at crying. Sometimes my tears take me by surprise. Recently, I had to apologize to the illustrator of my picture book. He misunderstood a question I asked him, thinking I wasn’t completely happy with his work. Which couldn’t be farther from the truth! I unwittingly offended Ryan by asking if he could change the color of the central character’s hair. Since Ryan made Beth’s eyes look like my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Coping Skills, Depression, Devotionals, Grief, Loneliness, What's New?

Turmoil in the Temple – Trusting the Savior

March 4, 2013 By 13 Comments
HAVE YOU BEEN SOMEWHERE YOU REALLY WANTED TO BE WHEN YOUR ILLNESS ZAPPED THE JOY? In this #devotional the writer explains how God allowed her to go to an event that she wanted, but then the physical turmoil set in--vertigo and sensory overload.

Have you ever been able to attend an event you longed for, only to have your illness try to zap the joy out of it and find turmoil instead? Lynn explains. “'It is written,' He said to them, ‘"My house will be a house of prayer"; but you have made it "a den of robbers."'"(Luke 19:46). It was that time of year when artists sell craft items for holiday gifting. Two friends had invited me to attend their venues: same day but miles apart. Such crafting is now impossible for me to do and I grieve the loss. Yet I can rejoice with those still involved. Caution was essential in the elementary school setting of the first event: the noise, the lighting, the crowds that overstimulate and can trigger me into an internal spinning vertigo … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Depression, Devotionals, Loneliness, What's New?

Who am I? Looking Closely at Who We Are and Are Becoming

February 23, 2013 By 7 Comments
Vicki's doggie

When our circumstances overwhelm us, it is easy to allow them to define us. Vicki asks, "who am I?" “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21). Finish this sentence: My life is all about. . . When symptoms of my disease monopolize my attention, my life feels all about. . . multiple sclerosis (MS). Yuck! Lately, my life has been all about. . . death. That’s because in one week we experienced two deaths. It all started around Christmas. We noticed a cancerous tumor returning in our dog. Almost before our eyes, his abdomen expanded. His days were numbered. We agreed that the moment we knew he was in pain we’d put him down. During those days, my life was all about. . . bracing myself for our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, God's Will, Loneliness, What's New?

Seeing the Sacred Through Suffering: Does Pain Have Blessings?

February 18, 2013 By 22 Comments
ARE THERE REALLY BLESSINGS IN THE PAIN? They are so hard to find but there is a purpose in it all and many people with chronic illness will tell you that through the path of suffering, they have been blessed beyond any health they may have had.

Are there really blessings in suffering? Our new devotional writer, Pastor Chris, shares his thoughts on this. "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair." (2 Corinthians 4:8) The greatest tragedy in anyone’s life is to live a life free from tragedy. When I talk like that it sounds crazy to some people. In fact it sounds crazy to most people. That’s because by the world’s standards it is crazy. The world says “avoid pain at all costs.” In God’s economy, suffering is a necessary part of seeing the sacred. In my life as the pastor of a local church, I have traveled the pathway of pain, arm in arm with the angel of death many times. I’ve come to consider him a friend. When he comes, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Loneliness, Overwhelmed, Spiritually Struggling, What's New?

Living With Worry and Fear, Dread And Doubt

February 17, 2013 By 6 Comments
ARE YOU GOING THROUGH A ROUGH TIME AND CAN'T SEE THE END OF THE WORRY AND FEAR? Even though it doesn't feel like it God is still there and He tells us He will provide? How can you begin to practice faith instead of worry when the world tells you worry is a natural part of life? #devotional

Are you dealing with a LOT of worry and fear? Karlton shares that he understands and encourages you to get some support. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25) I sometimes think that with illness and disability, worry is itself a symptom of chronic illness. The constant stress, the adjustment to endless difficulties, the frustration of daily dealing with affliction, these things invite worry, fear, dread, and doubt. Sometimes medication is necessary to help us with the anxiety that arises from living with chronic illness. Counseling may be helpful, finding a sympathetic ear to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Fear, Grief, Loneliness, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New?, Worry

How Do You Cope When People Talk Trash or Treasure About How You Are Coping?

February 13, 2013 By 5 Comments
WHAT KIND OF WORDS ARE COMING FROM YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT YOU-- TRASH OR TREASURE? It is so painful when we are doing our best to survive illness and people call us lazy, unmotivated, needing attention, etc. What do you tell YOURSELF about God's truth when people speak negatively about you? #devotional

People talk trash or treasure. What message do you tell yourself when people say things about you that are closer to trash? Our new writer, Pastor Wells, shares his thoughts. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29) People in this world love to talk. This can be done in today's world in an endless number of ways which include text messaging, video chat, and the traditional gathering or phone call. Recently, moving a thousand miles away from my family, video chat has been a way that I communicate with them a majority of the time. It was quite funny watching my father react to how this worked … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Hurt Feelings, Loneliness, What's New?

Where is God When I Feel Lonely?

February 2, 2013 By 4 Comments
WHERE IS GOD WHEN I FEEL LONELY? When you live with a #chronic #illness, it can be very isolating. Add in the cold winter months and everyone keeping to themselves, and we can wonder "Where is God? Why is He allowing me to feel this way?" This #devotional explains.

Do you feel lonely? Fiona shares how this time of year it can be easy to start feeling isolated in the cold winter months. ”How priceless is Your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” (Psalm 36:7) It is so much easier to feel upbeat when you're around others who cheer you up, or even when the weather isn't making your pain or illness feel worse. But when those rough days come crashing down upon us, it's so easy to give up and give in to the loneliness, and wonder "Where are You, God?" Many of us are in the middle of those cold, dreary winter months, which can put us into a down mood. We long for the days of Spring, the renewal we see in the earth and the hope that with better weather comes less … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Loneliness, What's New?

A Different Perspective on How to Find Solitude

January 23, 2013 By 5 Comments
SOLITUDE CAN BE A GIFT WHEN YOU ARE ILL. There is a difference between loneliness and solitude, but few understand it enough to feel the benefits of solitude. Have you traded your lonely days into the blessings youu can find in solitude, despite being chronically ill?

Have you ever found a different perspective despite having the same surroundings? Christy shares how she finally discovered solitude. "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:22-23) I have a habit of telling my friends who are facing frustrating or overwhelming life circumstances to methodically "close your eyes, take a deep breath, prioritize things mentally, and then face them." Recently, I took my own advice, turned off the front porch light, and sat in my newly bought … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Loneliness, What's New?

Are You Living With A Flat Battery?

January 22, 2013 By 11 Comments
DO YOU HAVE A FLAT BATTERY? What happens when living with chronic pain is just. . . too. . . much?

Few of us are able to take time to let our batteries charge. Fiona Burrows explains how this affects us, both physically and spiritually over time. “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:114) I had my day planned. I packed what I needed in the car, ready to set off, only to discover that the battery in my car was flat. A call to the service organization, sent a man to confirm that he could start it, but I really needed a new one. Eventually it was replaced and my plans for that day, were somewhat upset by this inconvenience. As God often does, He tied this to something my physiotherapist had said to me recently. We’d been discussing how I didn’t seem able to shake off the increased … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Loneliness, What's New?
« Older Posts