loneliness – The Refreshing of a Wild Rose

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

Weapons come in many ways. When thinking of weapons, we usually go to firearms or the military. Our minds turn to hostile situations that fill the evening news, wars, revolts, or hostage and school shootings. These are all legitimate thoughts.

Many of us will never be in those situations.

Weapons formed against us can be a harsh word or tone, a situation where you feel boxed in and cannot escape, the panic you feel in a given experience. Weapons can be our mind-set, how we think we are and how we tear ourselves apart.

There was a season in my life where I felt besieged. In my desolation and loneliness I found no comfort. Dale was deployed on an isolated tour, which means he was overseas in a place where we, his family, could not go. I had my daughters, but I needed to be the strong one, the adult. I tried my best to be strong, to do my part, but inside I was crumbling. Falling apart like an old stone wall hit just the right way.

I went to church, but hid in the back rows, hoping no one would talk with me. I tried to pray but felt like my prayers went nowhere. I read the Word but the words seemed empty. It was a winter season for me. I was dormant and lifeless.

The Lord broke through this darkness with these verses that brought life back into me. It did not happen at once, but, it did give me the strength to move. “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 (NKJV) and “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

I remember in gaining victory over this season, I would walk through my house in almost a marching fashion. With each step I would declare, NO. Weapon. Formed. Against. ME. will. prosper. A declaration that my God did not forsake me. He was with me then and will be with me forever.

I was given a devotional three years ago by a dear friend. I have read it daily since. On Valentine’s Day I read the following, I know when it was because I wrote down the date of the reading. “We cannot see the path. We do not know what the future holds. But no, we are not alone” Max Lucado

How often do we feel alone? As a child I felt like I was the odd one out. Like I didn’t quite fit. That feeling followed me most of my life. Traveling as we did in the military the awareness of loneliness presented itself with each move to a different area. I loved being inside my home, and when I went out to work I would think I would feel much more secure sitting in my home than venturing out to the world. Of course, once I was at work I was fine. I enjoyed my jobs and liked the people I worked with (for the most part).

Loneliness hits us at the oddest times. We don’t have to be alone to feel lonely. We can be in a crowd and still feel alone. It’s strange like that.

In the times where I picture myself standing off, alone, and silent while watching others interact and conversing, I physically remind myself that I am not alone. The Lord is right beside me. He cares for me. He knows me.

Isaiah 49: 16a says, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands” (NKJV)

We are inscribed on His hands. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of inscribe is: to write, engrave, or print as a lasting record or to dedicate to someone. Daily we see tattoos on people. If asked about the ink on them, there is always a story they want to remember, an event or a person they want to honor. We are inscribed on the hands of God. He wants to have us engraved on Him. We are never alone.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Tag: loneliness

No Weapon

Never Alone