How Ya Feeling?Sample

Not that Great 

Loneliness is ironic because it doesn’t always mean you are alone. You can be in a house full of people and feel lonely. Its causes and solutions are complicated. You are not alone in feeling alone. I too have struggled with loneliness and want to share a powerful truth that helped me.

 Jesus says, “You are my friend” (John 15:15 NIV). I heard this verse multiple times in my life, but I never let it resonate through my whole being. Jesus actually enjoys my company! He likes me for me. Jesus cares, even if it feels like no one else does. I don’t have to impress Jesus. David expresses in Psalm 139 that God knows everything about him and chooses to be near him. The realization that Jesus is my friend and is always present, gave me confidence. 

 With my newfound confidence in Jesus, I began connecting with people in a different way.  I knew that no matter what others thought of me, Jesus would still be my friend and because of this, I started taking relational risks. Leading with honesty and vulnerability, I stopped hiding and listening to the little voice in my head that said, “You’re not enough.” Not everyone fully embraced me, but I found many  people who did. These are my closest friends today because they accept me as I am. They know as well as I do that I’m not perfect but they want to walk with me as I grow. As it turns out, I want to walk with them too.

Reflect and Discuss

1.  Where do you think your feeling of loneliness comes from?
2.  Who is a person you need to be honest and vulnerable with in order to build a relationship?

Prayer 

Father, please make your presence more known to me. Remind me that you are here with me and love me as I am. Allow me to be more aware of your love for me. Put people in my path I can build deep, meaningful relationships with. Do not let my feelings of inadequacy hold me back from the great people and relationships you have planned for me. Give me confidence to step out and connect with others so I can walk with them as they walk with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen