I have been blessed in this life. I grew up in a loving home with loving parents and I married my high school sweet heart. We have been blessed with four wonderful children and one grand child who is Pappy's sweetie. I am surrounded each day by people who love me. If ever there was a man who should shout God's goodness from the mountain tops, it is me.
As many of you know, I battled depression for many years. Yes, even Christians can suffer from depression. While I emerged victorious over the disease, I have to admit that sometimes I notice some of the symptoms trying to creep back into my life. One of the symptoms is loneliness. It is a feeling of isolation and desolation. In this state a person will feel alone and far away from those who love them. What is even worse is the almost paralyzing feeling that you are powerless to reach out to anyone around you.
A well meaning Christian once told me, "Brother Bill, all you have to do is reach out to God. He is always with you." Of course I knew that but I wasn't looking for someone to say the obvious. I needed someone who would simply listen. I didn't need advice. As we left, he said that he would pray for me. Again, I appreciated his words but I doubted he would pray for me. Call me a cynic but let's be honest. Most people who say they will pray for someone most often do not. But it sounds nice.
I'm not alone when it comes to loneliness (no pun intended). Many of you reading this can identify with what I'm saying. I simply choose to put it all out in the open. I'm not ashamed and neither should anyone else. Many people think that Christians need to be perfect and that it's a badge of shame to admit that they struggle in life but I don't.
Everyday I ask God to continue changing me into the person He wants me to be. I spend time in His word and I pray...a lot. While all of that is wonderful, I've learned to live each day in a perpetual state of fellowship with God. And really that's what a daily walk with God is all about. Taking it one day at a time.
Do I still get lonely sometimes even though I am the most blessed man in the world? Yes. But the really cool thing is that tomorrow is another day and God is still on the throne and I know that He loves me. And as my good friend Martha says, "That's a good thing."
Be Well.
Bill
