Loneliness

Hey Yall,
Caitlin here- so a part of the blog is physical fitness and the other part is spiritual fitness. This would fall under the spiritual fitness category. In my quite time with God I am reading a few different books, one of them is Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control by Elisabeth Elliot. The book follows the romance of her and her husband and she uses it to show how to let God rule your love life. So far it has been a very interesting book. The chapters are short, so it makes for easy reading. Last night I read chapter 17: What To Do With Loneliness? and a few things struck me that I wanted to share.

I tend to be one who goes through cycles of loneliness. Right now I am actually feeling pretty good, but I know that probably within in the next few weeks or so I will probably start to feel lonely again. This chapter I think has really helped me to face it. One line that specifically caught me what this: "Let not your longing slay the appetite of your living." Jim and Elisabeth had to spend some time apart and he was reminding her to live to the fullest, even though they weren't together. I think we all need that reminder now and again. Yes, I may be lonely at times, but that should not determine my life. It should not keep me from living to the fullest! A friend of mine has a poster that says "Where you live should not determine whether you live." I think the concept is similar in this situation. How you feel should not determine whether you live. Don't be afraid to go out on your own and have some fun. Also, don't be afraid to get together with couples and hang out. You just need to keep perspective. Don't hold a grudge because you are the only single in the group. Choose to enjoy the time out with others.

Another thing that struck me what this: "God has me single for a reason." God is in charge, which means that if you are single it is for a purpose. God has a purpose for everything. He has not forgotten about you, he has not just decided to disregard how you are feeling. He has a grand plan. Right now that plan could be for you to be single. Instead of constantly worrying about your loneliness remember that God has a plan. You may not understand what that plan is, but he has a plan and a purpose. Your job is to seek God with all of your heart and search for His will above your own. Remember God's promise to us: Jeremiah 29:11-13- he has a plan for us, and he will show himself to us if we seek him with all of our heart.

I want to leave you with this, a pamphlet from the book on how to deal with loneliness:
Be still and know that he is God: When you are lonely too much stillness is exactly the thing that seems to be laying waste to your soul. Use that stillness to quiet your heart before God. Get to know him. If He is God, He is still in charge.
Remember that you are not alone:  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.” Deut 31:8. Jesus promised his disciples, "Lo, I am with you always" Matthew 28:20. Never mind if you cannot feel His presence. He is there, never for one moment forgetting you.
Give Thanks: In times of my greatest loneliness I have been lifted up by the promise of 2 Corinthians 4:17,18, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Refuse self-pity: Refuse it absolutely. It is a deadly thing with power to destroy you. Turn your thoughts to Christ who has already carried your griefs and sorrows.
Accept your loneliness: It is one stage, and only one stage, on a journey that brings you to God. It will not always last.
Offer up your loneliness to God As the little boy offered to Jesus his five loaves and two fishes. God can transform it for the good of others.
Do something for someone else: No matter who or where you are, there is something you can do, somebody who needs you. Pray that you may be an instrument of God's peace, that where there is loneliness you may bring joy.