How to Deal With Loneliness

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8

A few years ago, the Rev. Billy Graham in one of his sermons
said that loneliness was epidemic in America. Since that time,
I believe with all my heart this problem has gotten far worse.

What are the causes of such a transformation in society?

One of the main reasons is busy lives. People are overbooked,
from their career, activities with children, responsibilities
and family. They barely have time for necessities, much less
reaching out to others. This also means that they have
less tolerance for things that others are going through, they
just don't have the time or emotional resources to deal with it.
It is just too much for them.

Also past hurts in relationships and unresolved situations
can really hold people back from reaching out to others. It
binds them to the past and to those hurts, like a umbilical cord
of pain. They cannot let go, and therefore cannot move on
or enjoy new and healthy relationships, because the old
ones are haunting them. Forgiveness is the solution to this.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead
Philippians 3:13


One of the best solutions to loneliness is finding places
to go and things to do. Find activities that you enjoy and
get in groups that do those. There are many free
activity groups out there, and even self help groups
that can fill your time far more productively.

Get in a good church that teaches God's word, and has
a good outreach to people. Find things that they need help
with and volunteer. Very few people do this now. It is needful.
Take time to make relationships there, and even if people
are not as friendly as you would like, you be friendly, be
a example of outreach and compassion. Watch what
a transforming thing it is!

Find places that you know where there are needs and reach out
you will find it helps you forget your own trials for a while
and makes you feel so good inside, because you know
you are making a difference. Everyone has something
they can do today, but you have to make the effort.

For people like me who have physical issues and are homebound
it is a little more challenging. Like you, I have many ups and downs.
Days where I feel inspired and hopeful and days where things
get to me. But I have learned that I cannot meditate and
dwell on things that weigh me down. It is overwhelming. I find
things to do each day. I set goals for each day and get them done.
I also spend my time praying for others a lot. It is something
I know I can do to make a difference, and I have seen many
answers to prayer because of God's powerful mercy, grace
and love for us.

We can choose to meditate on our troubles and trials and
feed them breakfast, lunch and dinner by constantly entertaining them.
Or we can choose to realize we cannot solve them and dwell on
what we can get done, and what we do have, and entertain
good and hopeful and positive thoughts through reading
the word of God and cleaning our mind of all that is not
productive or good.

Being content is a very vital thing in this life. There is
always someone worse off, or going through more, or dealing with
much more than you can imagine. Don't let your own issues
hold you back from being a listener to those in need, and
taking time to pray for them. This is the essence of life, the
human bonding that brings us together and makes
life so much more worthwhile on a daily basis.

Look around you, see what you have and be grateful.
Take time to tell people you are thankful for them.
Take time to love someone each day.
Be content. Be inspired. Life is short, don't fritter
it away on discontentment and anger or sadness.
Change your mindset. There is still time left, it is a new day.

Even if no one else is there for you today. God is.
Savor it, talk to him, and tell him everything in your heart.
He will open new doors, bring solutions, and help you
find friends. But to make a friend, one must reach out
and be friendly. Above all, avoid pity parties, they are
no fun to go to, and they make you more lonely than ever.

One day at a time my friend. Hope springs eternal,
and God's mercies are new every morning. Make sure
each morning your mind is renewed and your heart
refreshed. Face the new day with new strength and hope.

Bottom line is, do you want to stay the same as you are now,
or change things and find more peace within, and contentment?

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

The Refuge Part 2

copy right Millie Plastaras 3/23/2003


Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with
His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.
His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall
not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies
by day. Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalm 91:3-6

Ancient Jewish commentators believed that these verses
were descriptive of demonic attacks. The mention
of the word pestilence refers to attacks that come like a
plague. As we watch our world create such destructive
things as biological weapons that kill the human race,
our heart cries within us, is there safety anywhere?

God holds his arms out and says yes. Within the feathers
of my wings you can abide and find shelter, and I will protect
you from all these things. As your faith, so be it unto you.

God's word does not lie, nor pretend, nor just apply to some
people. The riches of it, the promises, the protection, the
blessings are for the children of God, who have repented
and received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Then
is the beginning of freedom, and all that God has to offer.

But we must not only read to find out what we have as
promises for our health, wealth, spiritual life, and future
we must also take it into our spirit and apply it. We must
receive it. The reason many people don't get blessed
is they never read it, they never receive it, and they never
allow it in their life!

They might become Christians just to avoid hell, or to make
sure they go to heaven, but they never truly make a
commitment that means I will study your word heavenly
Father, and I will grow in wisdom and strength and
knowledge through your anointing and power.

They are baby Christians, content to run their own lives
and only run to God in an emergency.

Of these the world cannot be secure. For these Christians
are not there for themselves, or with Christ, they most
assuredly cannot be there for you.

We are to make Christ our anchor. Our focus.
Our Father, the first person we consult. The person
we are obedient to. And reading His word, shows us
thousands of things we will never learn any other way.
It leads us into divine truth, that will serve us well all our
lives, and carry us through the days of darkness and
great sorrow, as well as the days of joy.

It will teach us a song of victory in a land of darkness.

So my friend if you want protection, if you want victory,
if you want to overcome depression, if you want to find
healing, you have to take God seriously, and seek Him first.
There is a way, that is right, and none other. It is to the throne
room of God, where Jesus sits, our Savior, an advocate
before the throne, defending us daily, and ministering to us,
even sending his angels forth to protect and guide us.

WE can avoid the plagues, we can avoid the pestilence,
we can fight against the powers of darkness, and we can
overcome them all through the blood of the lamb.

But first... you have to take God serious, and live it
breathe it, receive it.. and watch all the beauty of God's
love unfold in your life as you put him as the head of
your life.

Under his wings you will abide, and no weapon formed
against you shall harm you. You are a child of the King.
Blessed, beyond measure, with a refuge that is unbreakable,
and stands against any storm or loss you may face.

Let Jesus be Lord of your life.
Then no evil can prevail. We have His word on it.

remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last

The Refuge, Part 1

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High,
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and My fortress,
My God, in Him I will trust.
Psalm 91:1-2

There is a secret place of peace. One our heart
longs for and seeks. In the still night hours when
everything seems magnified in its worry and despair
we find that there is a refuge that refreshes our soul.

Many of us wake during the early morning hours,
and we don't know why. Consider this, maybe God
wants you to talk to him at a time when the world
is still and he can speak to you and refresh you and
take you to a new place in Him.

A place that is higher than us. A hope,
a refuge for our very soul.

As we lift our hearts and eyes to the Lord above,
we see a refuge that is beyond our wildest hopes.
A complete secure place where no harm can
reach us.

It is in the shadow of the wings of God. Tucked in
with God, how blessed we are. Asleep, in His
arms. The cares of the world pushed away by
the nurturing care of a Abba Father, who loves
us and gave His only son for us.

A refuge, a abiding place for those who seek
Him, and allow His peace to wash over them till
they feel the cares of the day wash away from their
spirit with a cleansing and refreshing from the Holy
Spirit. The refreshing water, cleansing, renewing
us, till we feel released from our burdens, our
sins, new, clean, pure before God.

Have you ever felt this, or felt it lately?

Oh, if only we could tarry in prayer, till we feel a release.
Only if we could find a refuge away from the world,
where the noise and clatter of the world fades away
and the voices of angels sing in our ears.

To feel ourselves surrounded with the warmth of
the wings of God. Tucked in, comforted,
childlike in our trust, and finally, falling asleep
as we feel safe.

If we could only picture this in our mind every night,
how it would release us from the cares of the day!
If we only believed that God was working out
all the things in our life. If only we could have a
glimpse of how very much God loves us, we would
rejoice and sing and dance before the Lord.
We would see, we are truly loved, truly forgiven,
and nothing shall harm us.

If only we would let go, and Just take him at his word and trust him.

We are safe now. We can relax.
God is here, he is in control, and loves us more than anyone ever has.

Hold out your arms, Let Him take you into His wings,
and abide. Just abide in that peace.

All is well.

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last