Overcoming Loneliness in College a 9-Day Devotional by Cantice Greene and Joshua GreeneSample

Do I need God, a Friend, or a Relationship?

Josh says…

When I feel lonely, I’ve learned that going to God is vital. I used to roll my eyes whenever an adult would ask me, “Have you prayed about it?” when I was feeling down or alone. I thought to myself, “That’s not the same.” Over time, I’ve realized it’s not. It’s so much better. God knows me more intimately than anyone else ever has.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:1-4

When reading these words, I realize that this is almost exactly how I’d describe a best friend. “You perceive my thoughts from afar”—how many times have you been able to look across a crowded room at your best friend and know exactly what they are thinking? Think about when the teacher would say something in school, and you knew if you locked eyes with that one friend, it was all over. You’d both be rolling on the floor laughing, and both get sent to the office. “You are familiar with all my ways”- your best friends know all your habits, your tendencies, the things you do that make you--YOU.

And God knows these things on a level more deeply than any of your human friends could ever imagine.

If you’re having trouble hearing his voice or even feeling like He’s there at all, ask yourself if you’ve put the effort in to know Him. Have you given God the same effort that you’d give someone you just met? Do you spend time with Him? How much? Are you tired, energized, distracted, locked in? These things matter. Do you spend all your time talking to Him, or do you sit still and give Him a chance to say what He wants to say?

Consider these things today, and remember that He wants you to be closer to Him than anyone else in your life, and He wants to be there for you when no one else is.

Meditate on this: Psalm 139:7-18

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