Illness and faith…

“Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life.”

(Psalm 119:49-50 - New International Version)

Upon waking this morning, my body ached and my head felt as though it were stuffed with cotton wool. There was a: “Why me?” moment, particularly as I have some very busy and important days ahead. Why would I have a cold at this time? It prompted me to think about illness and how this relates to faith in God. I’m only mildly under the weather, so I cannot compare the discomfort I feel to the real suffering that many millions in the world face every day. In the world countless people suffer from chronic illnesses, disease and disability.

God does not want us to be ill; He wants us to be in good health.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, just as you are progressing spiritually.”

(3 John 1:2 – New International Version)

So why would a good God allow illness to occur? What part of His plan could it serve?

God’s Plan and Specific Afflictions

God, as seen in both the Old and New Testaments, used specific afflictions as a way of bringing about change in people’s lives. In the case of Paul and his experience with God on the road to Damascus, God used the affliction of blindness to demonstrate power over His creation, which brought about the conversion to faith of one of the most anti-Christian men of the time. This was a miracle involving health that brought about the saving of not just one, but countless souls through the subsequent work that Paul did for the Lord. This shows how God can use health issues to bring about the plans of His kingdom.

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised.”

(Acts 9:17-18 - New International Version)

A Fallen World

Illness and disease exist in the world is as a result of the fallen state of the world; they are part of the plan of the enemy to weaken the faith of humankind and keep us away from God.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”

(Romans 5:12 - New International Version)

When sin entered the world, death accompanied it. Part of death is sickness and disease. It can be clearly seen that God did not want this for us as in the beginning God created a perfect world, free of harm, but the choice of humankind, in the form of Adam and Eve, brought sin into the world which resulted in perfection being spoiled. Therefore sickness should not cause us to lose our faith in God – we should not blame God – it should be an opportunity to get closer to God as the ultimate healer and comforter.

Believing in God does not mean that we are always going to be protected from experiencing harm. The choices of others, the fallen state of the world, and sometimes our own disobedience means that we are at risk. Christians experience trouble, scripture tells us so, but God is fully aware of our suffering. There are times though, where, instead of eliminating that trouble, God sometimes chooses to give only spiritual comfort. It is not what we always expect, as sometimes we can be short-sighted about what God’s plans are, especially whilst we are struggling. If immediately curing us from illness was God’s plan for the situation, then He could do it. There is no doubt if that.

God does not cause us troubles, but He doesn’t spare us completely from accident or disease.

Sometimes growth of our spiritual life is achieved when we are ill. At that time, even when God decides not to bring bodily healing, He does not deny us spiritual comfort. We therefore must realize that the comfort and growth of the spirit is more important than the health of our bodies.

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”

(Psalm 119:71 - New International Version)

Illness can bring us closer to God. In our suffering we can turn to Him for comfort and pray for healing. At the time it is not always clear that an illness can bring about something positive, but often, when reflecting afterwards, it can be seen that God has moved in the situation. God may use the situation through the gift of healing, to demonstrate His power through the faithful prayers of those who turn to Him.

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

(from Romans 5:3-5 - New International Version)

God uses illness as a time for people to learn to rely on Him, even in the midst of their trials, rather than bring about an instant miracle of healing. God uses sickness to demonstrate His love through the actions of His people, who minister to those in need. When we are able to maintain or even strengthen our faith, even in the face of illness, we demonstrate perseverance, reliance on God and the recognition that whatever happens to us is for the good of His kingdom and part of His plan, even though we don’t always fully understand how.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

(Romans 8:28 - New International Version)

Trusting in God’s goodness and His plan is not always easy, especially when illness and suffering is involved. We are not always able to see things from the right perspective, but the amazing thing about God is that, even when we question, cry out and are angered, He cares. He wants us to pour our hearts out to Him, and is accepting when we are honest about our lack of understanding.

There will always be things about God’s plan that we will not understand, as we do not share the mind of God. His ways are above ours.

What we need to do is trust in Him, even when it is difficult to do so.

Do miracles still happen?

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

(Matthew 9:35 - New International Version)

When people ask whether miracles still happen today, the simple answer is yes. It only takes a few moments, and access to the internet, to find countless examples of miraculous works happening as a result of fervent prayer and dedicated faith in God. Many have witnessed, or been involved in, miracles of healing that have happened in their churches and within the lives of people they know personally.

We see through scripture that Jesus accomplished many miraculous works during His life, and He said that we would be able to do these things and more in His name if we truly believe. The Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, also accomplished miraculous works, and in their teachings declared that we will, as a church, be able to do likewise if we truly believe.

These things have a commonality…belief (faith). Without a sure and strong faith we cannot work miracles through the power and name of Jesus Christ. If we do not believe in Him, how can we truly use His name?

This is not to say that when miracles do not immediately happen that the people praying have a weak faith. Often the opposite is true. It seems like a get out clause, but God decides if and when He will grant what we pray for, according to His will and purposes, and according to what is good for us. Unfortunately, due to the short-sighted and short-lived nature of man, we do not always see what His plans are or when they bear their fruit. I have prayed and witnessed and prayers that, at first, seemed not to be answered, only for the answer to come and their petition granted at a later date, when the time was right.

Why do people deny miracles?

“‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

(from Luke 16:31 - New International Version)

Unfortunately, we also live in a time when people seek to disprove miraculous works, looking for logical and scientific reasons behind what happened, rather than accepting that the grace of God has intervened. People want to discount miracles because, if they accept that a miracle has happened, they would have to acknowledge the existence of God. This would then have a profound effect on their lives and how they live them, as they would know that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. A Heaven they would no doubt have previously denied the existence of. Some people have such pride and fear in their lives that it will not allow a change of heart.

Why do God and Jesus work miracles?

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’”

(Genesis 17:1-2 - New International Version)

God uses miracles to fulfil the covenants (promises) that He makes with His people. We can look at Abraham and Sarah, childless even at such advanced age, yet God promised that their offspring would create a nation. Despite their surprise, Sarah conceived at a ripe old age and Isaac was born, the start of the nation of Israel, leading onwards to Jesse’s son King David and eventually to Jesus Himself, fulfilling the promises made in the Old Testament and confirmed in the New Testament.

“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.”

(Isaiah 11:10 - New International Version)

“Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”

(John 7:42 - New International Version)

Throughout the Old Testament there are many examples of God working miracles to ensure that His promises are kept and His covenant with His people is fulfilled.

In the New Testament it tells us that Jesus performed countless miracles, many of which are unrecorded in detail, as it is the fact that they occurred rather than these details which is important. Jesus was demonstrating His power through His miracles.

However, it is clear that those which are recorded in detail are done to clearly show that, in Jesus, God was both fulfilling His covenant and demonstrating His power over the earth and all in it. For example:

·         Water into wine – power over creation.

·         The loaves and fish – power over creation.

·         Healing the sick – power over corruption.

·         Healing the blind – He is the light.

·         Resurrection of Lazarus – power over death.

Jesus’ miracles showed who He is. Jesus is not simply a prophet, or someone making hollow claims to be the Messiah. God used miracles so that His people would know Jesus is the Son of God.

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”

(Acts 2:22 - New International Version)

Miracles today?

In considering whether miracles still happen today, whether the thousands of reports of signs and wonders, from all around the world, are true and from God or the delusions of a people desperate to believe (as those opposed to God see it) we need to consider the following simple question:

Does God break His promises?

I believe that God never breaks promises. He fulfilled His covenant at every step throughout history and will not step aside now. We know God is consistent and timeless. So is the power of the name of Jesus:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

(Hebrews 13:8 - New International Version)

Jesus promised we would be able to do greater things than even He did. It was a promise, a covenant made with Him as the Son of God, fulfilled when we receive the Holy Spirit.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

(John 14:12 - New International Version)

However, if we base our faith solely on miracles, then we do not see the whole picture. Jesus did not live and die to perform ‘party tricks’. He came to save the world. We must believe in Jesus’ death, resurrection; that He is the way, the truth and the light. There have been times when people have witnessed miracles, but as time passes and memory fades, so does their faith. We need to ensure that our faith is strong and mature, based on more than just what we see. We need to believe in the greatest miracle of all.

The greatest miracle?

Jesus provided the way, through His sacrifice, for the forgiveness of sin and our redemption in the eyes of God.

God is good – so why does evil exist?

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”

(1 John 1:5 - New International Version)

God is undeniably good and He is categorically not responsible for evil that happens. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world, where free will allows people to make their own moral choices that fall outside of the law of God.

”Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”

(1 John 3:4 - New International Version)

Would evil things happen if everyone lived according to God’s will? No. Yet, even the most committed follower of Christ will fall from time to time, and these errors have sinful consequences. None of us are perfect and none of us are able to live lives fully free from sin. To avoid evil we must not give into the temptations of things which lead to evil. The Bible is clear-cut about this:

“Reject every kind of evil.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:22 - New International Version)

At the start of creation there was no evil. The world and all that was in it was perfect. One of those aspects of perfection was that God created all beings with free will. It is what we do with free will that can lead to evil. Every person faces choices about that which is morally right or morally wrong. In giving us free will, God created us with the potential to do wrong, as without that potential, how could we choose to reject evil? How could we choose to have faith and obey God’s laws if there were no choice?

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

(James 1:12-14 - New International Version)

When we consider the existence of evil in the world, we must first look at ourselves. What choices have we made? Have we given in to temptation? Did we pass the test?

What is evil?

If we understand that God is always good, then it is easier to understand what evil is. Evil is the absence of God, just as darkness is the absence of light. If God is not in a situation or decision, then the potential for evil is there.

Evil is not something of God…evil occurs when God is rejected or neglected.

Think about all of the terrible acts of evil that have occurred over all of history. Was God at the centre of people’s plans? Were the people committing these acts doing so according to God’s laws?

No.

Some believe they act according to God’s will, some are deceivers, but when their actions are measured against The Bible, it becomes clear that they are not acting in God’s will. The Bible even warns that people would come and do wrong in His name, interpreting scripture to suit their own purposes, or telling lies, and that many people would not just be deceived by it, but would desire it:

“And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold”

(Matthew 24:11-12 - New International Version)

“The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?”

(Jeremiah 5:31 - New International Version)

What can we do about evil?

God does not disappear during times of evil. In fact, He is often more clearly present in the lives of those who are suffering, and those who answer the call to go to their aid. Through Him there is courage within danger; reward following sacrifice; joy in the easing of pain. God does not abandon us during times of strife and struggle. He is constantly with us and wants to help us, providing us with the strength and wisdom we need to get through to the other side, if only we ask for His help and give Him our love.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

(Romans 8:28 - New International Version)

It is up to Christians to speak out and act against evil, in all its forms, in accordance with God’s will. Through us God works his purposes in the world and we must allow Him to do so, no matter the cost.

Suffering and Sorrow

Dorothy Sayers said this about God and existence of evil: “For whatever reason God chose to make man as he is— limited and suffering and subject to sorrows and death. He had the honesty and the courage to take His own medicine.” “He has kept His own rules and played fair. He can exact nothing from man that He has not exacted from Himself. He has Himself gone through the whole of human experience, from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair and death. When He was a man, He played the man. He was born in poverty and died in disgrace and thought it well worthwhile”

We can remind ourselves that, whatever evils we face, Jesus went before us. On the cross He bore all the sins and evil of mankind for all eternity. He faced more suffering, as one man, than all of humankind put together. It is a difficult concept to grasp – the enormity of its importance is so great. Through Christ we escape the clutches of the enemy. In Christ we have a shield against evil. This does not mean we won’t face hard times, but it does mean we’re not alone - we are redeemed.

God did not create His world to have disasters, wars, disease, famine…they are the result of this being a broken world that turned against His will. God’s perfect design was tainted the moment sin entered the world when Adam gave into temptation:

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you.”

(from Genesis 3:17-18 - New International Version)

Could God remove all evil from the world? Of course he could…he is all powerful. If God wanted it, all evil would be destroyed in an instant.

But wait - if all evil were destroyed - and evil is sin - and all people sin - who would be left?

Let’s thank God that he doesn’t destroy evil, but provides a way to Heaven and overcome evil:

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

(2 Timothy 4:18 - New International Version)

Why did Jesus have to die?

Jesus is the Messiah!

The promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people. Isaiah 53:12  Zech 12:10

Jesus Christ, fulfilling this promise and expectation. John 4:25-26.

Every soul is created by God, and so belongs to Him for all eternity. We are His creations and are bound by His laws, just like an inhabitant of an earthly country is bound by the laws of that land. Likewise, when we break God’s laws we are subject to punishment, as we are subject to human laws and punishment within society.

“For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child – both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.”

(Ezekiel 18:4 - New International Version)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Romans 6:23 - New International Version)

In the beginning, when God had created the universe and all that was in it, everything was perfect. Adam and Eve walked alongside God in the Garden of Eden, in close and perfect relationship with Him. This is how God wanted the world to be, how He wanted His relationship with humans to be, unspoiled by sin. When Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent, and ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sin entered the world. They had broken a promise to God and gone against His will. What had once been perfect was now infected by sin. This sin then infected the rest of the human race as Adam and Eve’s descendants.

This may not seem fair and many ask: ‘Why should we take the blame for Adam and Eve’s decision?’ However, when we take an honest look at ourselves we see the sin we have inside us. No-one can deny that, at some point, they have gone against the will of God in thought, word or deed, allowing sin into their lives.

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

(Isaiah 59:2 - New International Version)

Sin is a barrier between us and God. Sin keeps us from the Kingdom of Heaven. Sin prevents us having a full and intimate relationship with God. Without the death of Jesus we would not be able to bridge this chasm that sin has created between us and God. There is nothing that we could have done to fully atone for our sins, as it requires a blameless sacrifice. None of us are blameless, no matter how good we try to be in the way we live. In order to keep the laws of God one has to be without stain or blemish.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

(1 Peter 1:18-19 - New International Version)

This is why Jesus had to die. Without the sacrifice that HE made, the sacrifice of a perfect and blameless man, the door to the Father would have remained closed. Jesus was God made flesh, divine and human, born into this world, as only the perfect nature of God would ever be enough to fully redeem the sins of the world.

“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh.”

(Romans 8:3 - New International Version)

Jesus gave His life for every person that ever did, is, or will live. When we pray for forgiveness, it is Jesus’ blood that washes away the sins that we have committed, allowing us to be cleansed and therefore righteous in the eyes of God. Through Jesus the gates of Heaven are flung wide for those who believe and seek redemption.

Jesus’ amazing gift and forgiveness.

Despite knowing that He was going to die, and who it was that would kill Him, Jesus blamed no-one and held no-one responsible for his death. Jesus willingly gave His life for humanity, so we could be forgiven of all sin, for all time. It was in in his authority to choose to lay down His life and He did so. It was in His authority to rise again, back to life, and He did so.

“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

(John 10:17-18 - New International Version)

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

(from Luke 23:34 - New International Version)

Jesus gave each and every one of us a gift the day He died. Each and every one of us had a huge yoke of sin and debt on our shoulders that, alone, we would never have been able to remove or repay. Peter Abelard (1079-1142) said this of Jesus’ sacrificial death: “The Son of God took our nature, and in it took upon himself to teach us by both word and example even to the point of death, thus binding us to himself through love.” God is timeless; He knows every one of us, past, present and future, and loves us so much that Jesus died for us. It was Jesus’ love for all, even those who had not yet been born, that caused Him to willingly give up His life.

Jesus’ death was an incredible model of sacrifice and service to God and humankind. Jesus was commanded to give His life, and freely chose to obey this command so that the world could be saved.

 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

(Mark 10:45 - New International Version)

If you haven’t already done so, give your life to Jesus so that your sin can be washed away. Enter the Kingdom of Heaven, a place of eternal joy, and be with God the Father.

Dear Jesus, I acknowledge that you are God and died so my sins could be forgiven. I am sorry for all of the things in my life which were against Your will. Please come into my heart - give me peace, joy and life everlasting. Be my Lord and savior; help me live for You and serve you every day. Amen.

Why should we worship?

Worship: “The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.”

(Oxford English Dictionary)

”Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only”

(Luke 4:8 - New International Version)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.”

(Romans 12:1 - New International Version)

We live in an age of celebrity, when people with little discernable talent become massively famous, invading the social consciousness, seemingly for no other reason than they manage to be exposed in the media (often to an alarming extent). They are revered and adored by millions…

Why do so many get drawn into the ‘cult of celebrity’?

“It must be our breeding 
Call us like cattle 
We come stampeding 
To the new romantics 
Everybody wants a love titanic 
and Tiger Beat keeps us on cue 

It's true 
We were born to worship someone
It's true, I do”

These lyrics from the ‘All Star United’ song ‘Superstar’ go some way to explaining the phenomenon. We were born to worship someone, but unfortunately, too many people choose idolatry…not worship.

Humankind was created by God with an inbuilt knowledge and desire to worship something greater than ourselves. That something greater is God. We were created with a God-shaped space inside us which needs to be filled by the Holy Spirit. We have an inbuilt desire for an intimate relationship with God which only He provides.

When people are not focused on God they search for something else to guide them, to look up to and follow. The ‘cult of celebrity’ makes this abundantly clear. Yet ‘worship’ of celebrity is totally one-sided - nothing is received in return, except a fleeting thrill which gossip and insight into another person’s life sometimes brings.

'Worship' of people is idolatry - therefore unsatisfying. Perhaps it's why celebrities come and go with such regularity, fading into obscurity once their brief time in the spotlight passes.

A Real Relationship

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

(John 4:23-24 - New International Version)

True worship is given to God. We should surrender our own will, recognise salvation comes through Him and thank Him for everything He has done. God doesn't need our worship though; he’s not a shallow celebrity whose status depends on adoration. God seeks out those who will worship Him because He wants to have a relationship with us. It is a two-way relationship, with love both given and received. God wants to be with us and loves us!

God created us to have a relationship with Him and a way that relationship happens is through worship. Worship is why God created the universe.

Our worship and relationship with God are that important to Him!

“We love because he first loved us.”

(1 John 4:19 - New International Version)

We have an inbuilt desire to love and be loved. It’s a reflection of the love that God has shown for us, and why we are instructed by Jesus to love each other. Likewise, we are instructed to worship because it shows how much we love Him. When we worship God, we receive so much more in return. The Holy Spirit brings gifts and abilities far beyond our own.

“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

(1 Corinthians 12:8-11 - New International Version)

Worship - not just for Sunday

A real relationship with God should be a 24/7 commitment. In Ephesians 5:30-31 the church (believers in Christ) is referred to as the bride of Christ. Our dedication to God should be like marriage vows: a declaration of love; a statement of intent; an oath of faithfulness - all of which are unending.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.”

Romans 12:1 - New International Version)

When we spend time with God in worship we become better people. When, in sacrificing ourselves to Him and allowing our own desires to fade away, keeping focus on the plans that God has for the world, the Holy Spirit can work powerfully in us.

When worshipping in this way we develop the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Worship prepares us for eternal life in heaven with God and Christ.

How and When?

Think about how often we talk with loved ones. Strive to spend more time with God. Prayer is a conversation with God. He listens to every word and loves to speak to us. In prayer we should always remember to show gratitude for what He has done and appreciate how amazing He is as an act of worship.

Singing and music are a hugely important part of worship. The Psalms and other praises of Israel in the Old Testament were set to music and sung as acts of worship. Music and singing can help us focus solely on God and exclude other thoughts and feelings that interfere with the intimacy that worship creates. It helps to remove ourselves from our worldly situations and maintain focus on God.

It doesn't just have to happen on a Sunday at church.

We should also remember that worship is necessary in bad times as well as the good. In times of pain and suffering we should worship God. He doesn't become any less good when life is hard. It's an act of sacrificing ourselves in worship. 

After King David’s son died, the first thing David did was to worship God - he knew through worship he would find peace and comfort:

“Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshipped.”

(2 Samuel 12:20 - New International Version)

Picture what the world would be like if everyone were to worship God, all the time, in everything they did. Imagine how amazing the world could be.

(from Psalm 16:11 - Good News Translation)

“Your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.”

Loneliness?

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. “

(Deuteronomy 31:8 - New International Version)

I can't offer all the answers…just my thoughts. There have been times, even in the midst of a crowd (even during church) when I have felt lonely.

Did you know that, in the United Kingdom, statisticians predict that by 2031, 18 per cent of the total population of England will live alone? It’s a trend that is occurring in much of the western world. Aside from the material concerns of housing and resources to support this shift in patterns of living, there is a far more concerning aspect of this change: loneliness.

If God is with us all of the time and will not forsake us, then surely being lonely is impossible? Unfortunately, it is all too possible to feel lonely, and for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the situation can be made worse through guilt about feeling lonely!

Why do we feel lonely?

There are a multitude of reasons that people can feel isolated. Some explanations are pretty obvious, such as separation from family and friends due to circumstance, but others are trickier.

“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

(Psalm 34:18 - New International Version)

Sometimes people isolate themselves, as past hurts have made them guarded, building a protective wall in order not to get hurt again. Illness or tragic circumstance can cause people to feel isolated, that no one can reach them in their suffering. Yet, God knows the secrets of our hearts and understands that there are times of trouble in which we feel alone and this, I believe, is why He reminds us that He will never forsake us.

Getting bogged down in loneliness can lead to a vicious cycle of feelings about being unworthy of the company of others. The doubts being whispered in our ears do not come from God, they come from the enemy. Those faithful to the Lord ARE worthy.

“All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God.”

(from 2 Thessalonians 1:5 - New International Version)

God created us, loves us and deems us worthy. So much so that His son died for each and every one of us so that we could be in relationship with Him. God wants to be with us, so we are certainly worth knowing!

What can we do about loneliness?

One myth is that online social networking ‘cures’ loneliness. In fact, the opposite is often true. Here’s a short video that explains it far better than I can.

To avoid loneliness we need to develop real intimacy and connection.

“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’”

(from Genesis 2:18 -New International Version)

When you feel lonely, ask God if He is prompting you. Who could you make connections with? Think about ways you could help others. When ministering to other people we develop real and meaningful connections with them and reveal the glory of God through our lives.

Mother Teresa said this of loneliness: “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty ... Spread love everywhere you go - first of all in your own house. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

She was referring to the loneliness of others, but it seems that doing as she says is a huge step towards conquering any isolation that we may feel too. Living for other people and for their happiness creates a sense of fulfilment and real connection with others.

That is why fellowship is vitally important in our lives.

We need to be proactive in finding a way out of loneliness…looking for opportunities to make connections with people. We can join ‘house groups’ in our churches and get to know people that way, or through a number of other groups, in and out of church.

It can be a daunting prospect - so PRAY!

Pray that you will be shown the right opportunities, for confidence of spirit and for the right people to meet with. 

Actively Seeking Solitude

“It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

(Lamentations 3:26 - New International Version)

Being on our own is not always a bad thing. Having some time to yourself can be refreshing, as it allows you to sort out your thoughts and feelings, as long as you do not dwell on them negatively. It can be satisfying, in the same way as tidying a cluttered cupboard!

Having some time on your own can also give you the chance to study The Bible in more depth and seek God’s wisdom. Time spent with The Bible is incredibly powerful, rewarding and blessed.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

(Luke 5:16 - New International Version)

Being on our own is good for our prayer life. It allows us to spend some time solely with God. It’s a necessary part of Christian life, and as such was demonstrated by Jesus. Being alone with God can reap rewards in our spiritual life as there are times, in the greater silence and focus that solitude brings, when we hear Him more clearly.

When we develop the spiritual discipline of being alone with God, focusing ourselves solely on Him, we feel His presence and know His love in a new and more intimate way.

Finally, one incredible thing to consider is this. When Jesus returns there will be no loneliness; there will be peace, wonder and joy in the presence of our Lord.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

(Revelation 21:4 - New International Version)