A Pastoral Christian letter offering reassurance and reflection on how emotional and physical disconnection can reveal the deeper need for spiritual connection.
This Pastoral Christian letter serves as reassurance to Poppy that her loneliness can be a doorway to deeper spiritual connection with God, who offers comfort and purpose in hardship, encouraging her to trust God’s presence, seek meaningful friendships, and remain hopeful: finding God in my loneliness.
Dear Poppy,
Perhaps there is some comfort in knowing that you are not alone in the heavy dark feeling of loneliness that you describe. It is one of the curses of the day and the circumstances of your separation have combined to make this worse for you. In life, there are peaks and troughs in friendships but you are right in saying that we all need a sense of connection. True enough, we are made for connection physically and emotionally but we also need spiritual connection.
Here’s something to think about – when the physical and emotional connections are adrift, it highlights the need for your spiritual connection. Why? It’s because it is that connection which provides the anchor that can help you when you are feeling lonely. It also works the other way – when we find our emotional and physical needs are met, our human nature will often switch off the desire for spiritual connection with God.
In a strange way then, it is in the middle of loneliness that your spiritual sensitivity to God can be truly sharpened. The Bible has many examples of people who were lonely, sometimes desperately so. Take Joseph for instance. He was bullied by his brothers, thrown down a dried-up well, sold as a slave into a foreign country and became a prisoner for a crime he didn’t commit. It came out well in the end as he found renewed strength in God – he declared that although his brothers had alienated him, God turned it out for good.
Crushed and broken
So here it is Poppy, God has such tender love and compassion for you when you are feeling crushed, broken and isolated. In the Psalms, you will see this love poured out many times and you need to know that this is true for you today:
‘The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and He saves those who are broken in spirit’
Psalm 34:18
Perhaps like Joseph, you will come to realise the closeness of God and to see how in this hard time, He is working for your good in ways that you don’t at present see.
Here’s a few other encouragements for you from God’s Word:
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ – Romans 8:28
‘…but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me’ – 2 Corinthians 12:9
‘Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted’ – Psalm 25:16
‘There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!’ – Romans 5:3-5 (The Message)
Perhaps the so-called friends who have abandoned you were not the kind of friends you need. Ask God to give you another friend and then keep your eyes open! Although God will surely send you someone, you’ll also need to take some action. It might be to join a church, take up a hobby or invite someone with similar interests for a coffee. Social media provides skin-deep entertainment so be wary of superficial immediate friendships which will often disappoint. True friendship is a slow-growing fruit. Pray for wisdom, patience and that you will spot the friends God will send you. To get a friend, be a friend. It is kind and friendly actions that lead to friendships.
The main thing in this is to deepen your friendship with God and remain His faithful friend even after He has met your physical, emotional and spiritual needs. I’ve put a few other verses to encourage you along the way below*
Friends on the journey,
Oggy
*More Bible verses of comfort for you:
‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’- Isaiah 41:10
‘For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in’ – Psalm 27:10
‘And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’ – Matthew 28:20
‘Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you’ – Deuteronomy 31:6
‘He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds’ – Psalm 147:3
‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you’ – John 15:7
A final word Poppy, the best thing is to take God at His Word
Comments