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Overcoming Long-Term Loneliness

"The LORD confides in those who fear [reverence] him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!"¹

"Loneliness, it's such a sad affair" sang Karen and Richard Carpenter some years ago. Sad to say for Karen she was apparently singing exactly how she felt for, feeling unloved and lonely, she starved herself to death.

Probably most of us at one time or another know the painful pangs of loneliness. We were created for relationships and without sufficient love and human companionship we "limp along in the shadows of life" starving for human love, warmth and connection.

King David also knew what it was like to be lonely especially when he was on the run from King Saul who was desperately jealous of him and was seeking to kill him.

I know what it's like to be lonely, too—even when among friends—with that deep down feeling that leaves one feeling empty inside. Because of past hurts I was afraid to get too close to people for fear of being hurt again.

But I, too, sought the Lord in my loneliness and shared my fears, failures and insecurities with Him, and asked Him to give me the courage to face the cause/s of my fear and to lead me to the counseling help I needed to overcome them. I had personal issues to work on and resolve, and while it took time, I’ve come a long way since then and am more open to love than ever before.

Suggested prayer: Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You so much that You hear the cry of my heart when I reach out to You in my loneliness and pain. Help me always to be honest with myself and You, and please give me the courage to face the cause/s of my loneliness, accept responsibility for what I need to do, and lead me to the help I need to overcome. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’s name, amen.”

For additional help in overcoming loneliness, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3bg5xy

1. King David (Psalm 25:14-19 NIV).

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