Loss and loneliness are ever present realities. While we close out this week’s study on these topics, they do not come to a close in our lives.

I experienced loss as a teenager. While the dark and oppressive cloud of sadness, fear, and despair has lifted, this has left scars that, from time to time, have affected my adult life.

I am also no stranger to loneliness. I remember being dropped off at a boarding school in Africa and the moment my family drove away, I was overcome with loneliness. As an introvert, making friends was and is hard, yet we all crave to be with people. We have a God-given desire to be known and loved, to feel valued, appreciated, and included.

Loneliness and loss can be a part of our lives for one season or for many. We don’t even have to look far in the Psalms to see its authors pour out their hearts of loneliness, fear, confusion and doubt. In Psalm 42 David admits to deep sorrow to the point where his tears are like his only source of food (vs. 3).

The Entrapment of Despair

From the moment sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, the experiences of loss and loneliness have been constant parts of the broken human experience. Loss of life, loss of a job or finances, loss of innocence and trust, loss of joy and comfort.

Loss and loneliness bring with them terrible feelings. They lure us to do things that are not good for us or are not glorifying to God. Many of us may indulge our feelings and we will wallow in sadness and despair, letting them zap us of our energy, self discipline, motivation, and care.

Others will go to great lengths to avoid being lonely or experiencing loss. Maybe it means never being without a boyfriend, or always having to be surrounded by people. Others will lie, or steal, or manipulate in order to have or to be well-liked.

The Freedom Of True Hope

But one of the lessons we learn from David is that he never allows himself to stay in the arms of despair. He always come back to the one truth that can set him – and us – free. Our hope is God! Always God!

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God;

Twice in Psalm 42 David preaches to his soul, telling it to hope in God.

His faith reasons with his fears, his hope argues with his sorrows. – C.H. Spurgeon

Why? Because while we can lose everything that is earthly, we can’t lose anything that is spiritual. Everything that is eternal is secure. We can’t lose our souls or our salvation because we can’t lose our God! Therefore His love for us and faithfulness towards us is rock solid. Since God is omnipresent, His kindness and His comfort surround us at all times. His compassion never wavers and His strength is there to uphold and carry us.

Brokenness brings loss and loneliness to all humans without exception. But those who call on the name of the Lord will find comfort and wisdom for today, and will find strength for tomorrow. Then we will praise the Lord and experience His divine joy.

Looking To Jesus,

 

 

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Today wraps up Week 1 of our Broken & Redeemed study! Grab your favorite beverage, crack open your Bible, and together let’s rejoice with the broken and redeemed of God.

You can grab a copy of our Broken & Redeemed journal on Amazon here or download it at this location.

We also have a corresponding kid’s Broken & Redeemed journal geared for children in elementary grades. You can grab a copy on Amazon at this location. 

 

Jen Thorn

Jen Thorn

Jen Thorn grew up in Germany and then spent her teenage years in Africa, where her parents were missionaries. She moved to the United States for college and attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she met her husband. They have been married for twenty-two years and have four children. Jen lives in the suburbs of Chicago, where her husband is the pastor of Redeemer Fellowship. Jen is passionate about theology and the connection to daily living.

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