Anchorage: The Storm of Loneliness | Part 5 of 8Sample

Jesus – Friend Forever

Whether you are someone who has given up on trying to open up and trust people, or you simply struggle to do so, knowing that God is our primary source of love and acceptance not only changes our perspective of self but also the way we see others. It is important to surround yourself with people who encourage, comfort, build up, and direct you towards God. Experiencing disappointment and worry when faced with a difficult situation is only natural. But in these moments, it is crucial to focus on things that uplift and remind us of God’s faithfulness and goodness rather than the things that cause us to remain in that slump.

When you find yourself in a place of discouragement and hopelessness, start worshiping God in the midst of the problem. Don’t wait to get your breakthrough before you can approach God. We don’t go to Him in order to receive something for ourselves. Rather, we should approach Him simply because there is no better place to be than His presence. We must learn to dwell in this secret place regardless of our circumstances. He is good despite the storms and seasons of your life, and He loves you regardless of your perceptions and insecurities about yourself. What causes you to desire and long for His presence? Whether it is a time of intimate worship, meditation on His word, or even engaging in a community that points you towards God, always go back to that place of surrender. The more we dwell on the enormity of our problems or the extent of our insecurities, the more we are enslaved by them. It is not that God becomes distant in those times, we are just so blinded by our worries that we cannot perceive and reach out to God even when He’s right next to us.

For the woman with the bleeding issue, there may not have been a lot of friends that she could open her heart to. Maybe she was left to suffer in the misery of her thoughts and the pain of her afflictions. But when she heard about Jesus, the harshness of her circumstances, the hurtful stares and curses of the people around her, and the exhaustive struggle to get there didn’t matter to her. All that mattered was that she could approach this man; she could reach out and plead for help. She believed by faith that in order to be healed, all she had to do was touch the hem of His robe. In the end, it was this faith that brought her deliverance.

Some friends stay with you for life, while some pass with the seasons. But God promises to stay by your side forever. He promises to love you and cherish you even when you don’t see yourself to be worthy of it. Don’t worry about whether you are good enough or even worthy of love. Let God work in your heart and mold you to be the person He made you to be. If you are simply willing to be embraced and swept away in this tide of overwhelming love, nothing can disturb your peace and purpose.

Reflection

Are you willing to find a friend in Jesus? To trust in Him and walk everyday with him by your side? Even if no one else understands you, He does.