You Are Not Alone

Have you ever sat by yourself somewhere and thought, “No one around me has any idea what I’m going through?”

Even if you were able to explain or describe all that was occurring, or what you were feeling, or how you were coping (or not coping), others just wouldn’t get it. Not really.

You are not alone.

It’s a part of the human experience we all share from time to time. That feeling of being completely detached in a crowded room of people.

Maybe you’ve been there.

Are you there now?

You are not alone.

I’ve been taking up this space recently throughout a difficult season. God’s Word tells me He is always with me, yet I sometimes still feel . . . alone. Perhaps I’m neglecting my spirit as I search to fill a void.

I have a dear friend who is saddened by individuals who continually dwell on their problems, ruminating over and over (and over) about their difficult circumstances, rather than finding strategies to move forward. He once said, “If you’re going through hell, don’t stop to take pictures.”

I must confess, I stop and take pics sometimes. I pause, standing still long enough to snap a few photos and maintain that no one else could possibly relate to what I’m experiencing.

Oh, Friend, this is soooo not true. We all go through stuff. None of us can claim exemption from trauma, tragedy, hardship, bad news, or crippling stress. We are not ever alone in our struggles.

More importantly, faith in God teaches us we are not alone. Numerous Bible passages detail how God does not forsake us, He will never leave us, He goes before us, and He is always with us. We know this, right? Yet, amid declaring God’s promises, we question why He answers some prayers and not others—or how He chooses to respond. In our moments of confusion, we must cling to this:

While we can’t always be sure of God’s answers, we can always be confident of His character.

The book of 1 Kings, chapter 19 details how Elijah, fearing for his life, fled from Jezebel and became isolated and alone in the wilderness, and even prayed that he might die rather than endure his circumstances. The Lord revealed Himself to him:

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountains in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

(1 Kings 19:11-12).

The Lord revealed Himself to Elijah in a still, small voice, assuring Elijah he was not abandoned. He was not alone.

We are not alone in our wilderness either.

Here are a few ways God works through our efforts to grow our ability to trust Him:

• Pour out your heart in prayer and ask God for peace. He is always ready to listen.
• Meditate on Scripture. Search the Bible for affirmations of God’s promises. Meditate on His Word to give you reassurance. We can find comfort when we shift our focus to the reality of God’s presence.
• Serve Others. When we redirect our focus to the needs of others, it removes us from isolation. Being in service to others provides an avenue for God to bless us and bring purpose to our pain.
• Connect with Others. We may think our suffering is unique to that of anyone else, but there are those who have experienced exactly what we have, and there are skilled people available to seek help from. God equips us with the ability to empathize with others so we may walk alongside each other and provide comfort on our difficult paths.

God knows you. He loves you. He sees you. He gets you. And in our darkest moments we are never alone.

Father God, I turn to you and rest in your presence amid my overwhelm. Help me hold onto the truth of your promise to never leave me. Remind me today that I am covered by your love, and I am never alone. Amen.