Let's see, I've got to stand over here. Shall we begin, ladies? I just want to say I really appreciate, thank you all for coming and providing, also all of you who provided feast of soup and salad every time. And I don't think I've said that before, but every time you have this wonderful feast of food, and Carolyn and I always look forward to this whole event. It's always been a fun day. Well, today I'm talking about God's heart. in the anxiety of loneliness. And everybody experiences, can you see me over there? I feel like it's a little bit in the way. I'm over here and if I get lost, please forgive me. Everybody experiences anxiety of loneliness at times in their life. Doesn't mean they're less spiritual or sinning. I'm still lonely after the loss of my husband. I became a widow on March of 2019 when my husband suddenly died of a heart attack. I still wish he was here. There's anxiety in navigating life without your spouse. Now I have to figure things out without him, enjoying things. without being able to share it with him. I know he would be spending money on all kinds of auctions, buying every fun thing for the grad kids. And he'd tell me, oh, it was such a good deal. I kind of miss that fun. Or running into problems only he could solve. I'd be thinking, oh, that wouldn't be a problem if John was here. Or that if things were different, I would be OK. Or knowing you may never do that thing or that trip or get that done because John is not here. Even taking care of the grandkids would go so much easier if he was here. It's lonely after almost 34 years of marriage. But even though loneliness is not a sin, it can become a problem when we move in and forget the truth of God's word and it directs our life. This is different for everyone. We need to be sensitive to others in their loneliness. I'm sure all of you have experienced loneliness at one time or another or are experiencing it right now yourself. It doesn't matter what your age, loneliness hits all of us at different stages in our life. And many Bible characters have written about their loneliness. Jeremiah is one of them. Let's read some of what he wrote. Turn in your Bibles to Jeremiah 1, verses 5 through 8. And then we'll go to Lamentations, which is the very next book, 321 through 26. Isaiah, Jeremiah lamentation. It's after Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes. All right, starting in verse four. Just learning this. Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I ordained you a prophet to the nations. And then said I, this is Jeremiah's response. Oh Lord God, behold, I cannot speak for I am a youth. I'm too dumb. But the Lord said to me, do not say I am a youth for you shall go to all whom I send you. And whatsoever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. Then go to Lamentations chapter three, verse 26. starting in 21, excuse me. This I recall to my mind, and this is Jeremiah as he is older and looking back. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Because his compassions fail not. Oops. Though the Lord's mercies, through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him, and it is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer and thank you for your love, for through it we have forgiveness, grace, and mercy. And through that sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who willingly came down to live a suffering, lonely life in his sacrifice, and he shed his blood for our sins. Through that, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, which helps us have victory as we put our faith in your word and draw comfort in your love. And that you understand each one of our circumstances and loneliness and anxiety. And I pray that we would see your heart today, that you would give us strength and peace and fill our loneliness with your love. The definition of loneliness is a sadness because one has no friends or company, a lack of friends or companions, forsakenness with a feeling of depression and loneliness in the pit of your stomach. Kendra Cherry further defined loneliness as a state of mind that can cause people to feel unwanted. And there's a lot of anxiety in that. Loneliness is not a new thing as it comes to all of us sooner or later. People who are lonely in their anxiety often crave human contact. But in some cases, their state of mind makes it more difficult to form connections with others. Growing concerns around the dangers of loneliness have prompted a call to action by the U.S. Surgeon General, who recently issued an advisory on the matter. It states that nearly half the adults in the U.S. experience feelings of loneliness connected with their anxiety daily. The Foundation of the Art of Healing has even launched the Unlonely Project for individuals that are lonely. Loneliness affects all levels of society, such as elderly, veterans, minorities, caregivers, people in the workplace, students at college, soldiers, spouses in marriages, handicapped, divorced, singles, teenagers, empty nesters, missionaries, and pastors, just to name a few. And since it's a universal emotion, saved or not, everyone experiences it at times in their life. And it's also complex and unique for each individual. For example, a little child who struggles to make friends at school has different needs than a lonely older adult whose spouse has passed away. So we see that everyone experiences loneliness in their lives at times, no matter how long you've been saved. Since anxiety in the trial of loneliness is so different from person to person and varied, we need the Lord not to not only find our security and our hope, but Also, he is extremely important in encouraging others who are suffering with it also. In fact, it can be even therapeutic to the one suffering to seek to encourage others in their anxiety of loneliness. The Bible tells of many who experience loneliness, and some of them are Jeremiah, Naomi in the story of Ruth, Daniel, Paul, and even Jesus. Let's look at Jeremiah the prophet. He wrote the book of lamentations, a book of funeral poems he wrote out of the anguish and anxiety of his heart over the destruction of Jerusalem and his love and broken heart over the Jews' rejection of God. He was known as the weeping prophet. In his example, we can see that loneliness can come to a person who's following God. The nation of Israel had rejected the Lord countless times and worshiped false gods from other nations. As a devoted patriot, he felt very lonely as he refers to the entire nation as adulterers and assembly of treacherous men. He was persecuted by his own people for his proclamation of the unwelcome truth about the impending judgment and captivity. He not only felt he had no friends, but the ones that should have been his friends, his own countrymen, hated him. And his family had left him. Though he had tears, they were not for himself. They were for the people of Israel that didn't care about the Lord. But in all this, the Lord never failed Jeremiah. The Lord tells him, I formed you and made you for this purpose. And Jeremiah rebuts, I cannot speak, I am too young. But the Lord said, I will be with you. I will deliver you. God knows all this and tells him that he will put the words in Jeremiah's mouth because Judah will not listen to him and will be angry for what he will say. And the Lord tells him that he will make him like a fortified city, like an iron pillar, a bronze wall against the whole land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you. And during this time, Jeremiah observed God's goodness and patience toward Israel time and time again. God does not allow things in our life without giving us himself through his word and the Holy Spirit. He is the one who gives us strength and wisdom. And I'm sure Jeremiah felt, as we would, scared and weak and lonely. But the Lord continually reminded him of God's presence and protection. And I'm sure it was a daily, possibly a moment-by-moment thing. As he said in Lamentations, the Lord's mercies are new every morning because he needed it and saw it every day. Great is thy faithfulness, and his compassions fail not. Many years have passed since he wrote those famous words that have encouraged millions over time. We have memorized and contemplated them. We even enjoy a much beloved hymn about these verses. Jeremiah never knew how the Lord would use his writings. He just wrote about what he knew to be true himself. So let's consider the times in our lives when we have faced or will face anxiety and loneliness. And what is true about the Lord in those times? And ask the Lord to help us in our loneliness and struggles. when we are young. I see this every day. I work with three and four-year-olds. I've heard the term three-nager, and I think it's a thing. They have real anxiety over a million things. I want my mommy. When will rest time be over? I don't want to go outside. I don't want to go inside. I want to hold their hand. I wanted the pink one. I had that first. I don't want to go outside. Real tears flow like turning on a faucet or arms folded in defiance like you ain't budging me. And then we get older as teens and technology takes over our anxieties. And Facebook and Instagram and Snapchat can twist our minds over who is our friend or not. And sadly, many children and teens are exposed to violence, Wicked things that shape their imaginations, play, and values. And some teams have real struggles in relationships because they don't know how to be friends. They can visit one another's houses and not talk, but sit next to each other and just be on their phones. Christian parents can struggle navigating through all this as the Bible may seem so boring and out of touch compared to technology. In my life, and I wasn't a perfect parent, you can ask all my kids, but I noticed that the ages before 14 is the time you really can affect your kids the most by having a close relationship with the Lord yourself. Not fakey. just truly enjoying the Lord and bringing all your stuff to Him in front of the kids, confessing your downfalls, resting in God's love and forgiveness, talking to your kids about answered prayer or things you're still praying about. The reality of God you demonstrate at this time in their lives has an effect on their thinking, now or even later on, reminding them by your actions where your source of help is found. And helping them to memorize verses that impact your loneliness and your feelings on anxiety. Children's songs can be a great tool also. Jesus loves me, for example. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Those words are amazing in their simple theology. We are still in the spring season of life as we enter college age. At this time, this time can be so lonely and full of anxiety. First time away from home, finding a friend, especially if far away from home. Loneliness can be magnified when the car breaks down or you've dropped your phone and somehow it doesn't work right anymore. Finances are tight because the first time you've ever had to really control the bills. It doesn't work right, homework piles up, the grades start to fall, and the roommate turns out to be a problem, and stress builds up, and you end up calling your parents in tears. Also, there's intense pressure for some to conform to the world. Do what the others are doing, and not stand for Christ. On your papers, with your professors, or in your dorm room with your friends, or on the sports team, or even on the job. These situations cause a lot of anxiety and loneliness, especially when you think you're the only, when you are the only one taking a stand, and you think nobody likes you. You feel isolated. And your chance of playing on the team or on the game or getting good grades are actually jeopardized. First, I will tell you that you will survive. and the Lord will help you. He loves you very much. And through the word, your parents, church, friends at college, or some way you may not even have thought of, the Lord can help you and strengthen you. And pray for wisdom. That's what I do every day. Take your loneliness and anxiety to him. The Lord understands you and your situation. Consider Romans 8, 35 through 38. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble, or hardship, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 13.5 says, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Pray these verses and ask the Lord to give you peace, rest, and security, and wisdom in dealing with your problems. And remember, God has a plan for your life, and it is a good plan. And your loneliness can be used by the Lord to encourage others as you bring your trials before the Lord and reach out to God in his word. And you are not the only one at college that may be lonely. In the Bible, When David was a young man, David was lonely as he was taken away from his family forcefully and cruelly and brought to a foreign land. Instead of letting his loneliness in his circumstances direct his life, Daniel purposed in his heart to follow God. Now this doesn't mean he wasn't lonely or miss his family or just wasn't allowing, it was just that he wasn't allowing it to rule his life. His stand affected others, and I'm sure that encouraged him as time went on, namely his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as in the happenings recorded in the Fiery Furnace. They boldly refused to bow down to the idol. Now that decision made them in line to be the first victims for violating the king's proclamation. and listen to their boldness. In Daniel 3, 16 through 18, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. Whether we bow down or not, we're not going to bow down. Verse 17, if that's the case, our God to show his almighty power before you, I've added a little bit here, before you, and all who are here, whom we serve is able to deliver us from this fiery furnace. And he will deliver us from your hand, O king, either by saving us in the fiery furnace, because he is more powerful than you or any other god, or by taking us out of here through the fire. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up. I believe their boldness is a direct result of God using Daniel as he purposed in his heart to trust the Lord that he knew instead of letting the pain and anxiety of his loneliness and his circumstances rule him. First Samuel 2.30 says, for them that honor me, I will honor. And the Lord strengthened Daniel. And he wasn't perfect, but just what he did in his heart, choosing to trust God, changed everything. Loneliness and singleness is hard. And no matter what your season of life, It happens all seasons of life, but it can start here, especially if your plans for your life don't come to fruition. You finished college and you didn't land the job you wanted, or perhaps you didn't finish college and you don't know what you're going to do now. No boyfriend when all your friends are dating or in a serious relationship or getting married. What is our focus now? Well, Philippians 4, as Carol mentioned, Last time has a lot for us to think about. But when you find yourself swimming in loneliness and anxiety, remember the Lord is near. Daniel 6.23b. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, den of lions, and no matter, no manner of hurt was upon him because he believed in his God. Trust in His nearness and rest in it. We have a choice to be lonely and worried about our future and do nothing or ask the Lord to help us rest in Him and His promises. And make your goal to know Him and cast all of your what-ifs on the Lord. Ask Him to open your eyes and guide you to the things He wants you to see. And don't think the Lord has only bad things for you. He loves you deeply, and right now His presence is with you. We're always in a hurry. We want instant everything. We want our struggles of loneliness to go away in the next 10 minutes. I know I do, but anxiety is a sneaky way about it. As soon as it's taken care of in one area, it comes back in another. Have patience, my friend. The Lord desires much for you and more than you can imagine. In his love and character, there is sweetness, in the assurance of his grace, and there we see his faithfulness. David is our witness of the truth of God's faithfulness here in Psalms 89 verse 1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. The Lord's no's right now will lead to an incredible yes later on. And it's probably something you would not have thought of or expected. So be open to the direction that God may be leading you. God is handing you a buffet of himself. But sometimes we would rather starve and eat the crumbs under the table than to see the miraculous reality of God as our solution. With this unhindered time you have on your hands, make a list of all the blessings in your life and a prayer list for your family and loved ones, friends at church, church family who are going through trials, and pray for them. See if the Lord has something you can do to help one of these people. Or take some help in the Teenage Sunday School or with youth activities. Take some teens out to lunch. Ask what's going on in their life. Seek to encourage them with what the Lord has shown you. The Lord may lead you into an amazing relationship of mentoring that benefits both of you. So many teens need a Christian friend that is not pulled by the world. Or visit a lonely grandparent or an elderly person. Or whatever the Lord shows you. Loneliness in your heart can melt as you seek to meet another person's need. Especially when you can use your loneliness and experiences to encourage them. Consider the joy found in God's presence in Psalms 16 verse 11. You show me the path of life, and in your presence is fullness of joy, and at your right hand are pleasures evermore. In Deuteronomy 31.6, the Lord reminds us of his almighty presence. Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear nor be afraid of them. In our instance, our fears and thoughts of loneliness. For the Lord your God, he is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Now, let's move on to the summer season of life and look at a few areas where loneliness shows up. Some of us are in careers or married-in careers. First, I want to speak to the career women. It can be lonely at work when others are getting promoted and we are overlooked, or no one is recognizing your talents. There may be favoritism, unfairness. I don't know what job you wouldn't have these things in. Or talking behind your back. Coworkers can be so mean and catty. Or you feel isolated because you're a Christian and you're left out of many gatherings and conversations. Or you may have a crabby boss that's hard to talk to. You could be in a situation where you can't live on your income anymore. Should I quit, find a new job, or find a roommate? It's not easy to quit. What if it takes a long time to get a new job? How will I pay my bills? Navigating through this loneliness in our job situations can be so hard. Don't carry this burden alone. Bring it to the Lord and ask Him to guide you and give you peace and wisdom about it. Do your work as unto the Lord, as if He is right there beside you. And don't compare yourself with your co-workers. Just do your best, go above and beyond, and be willing to help others, even if they don't deserve it. They will respect that effort and like working with you after time. Maybe that you don't need to have lunch with the ladies. Go have lunch by yourself. I've done this. Take time to pray and read a devotional. Remind yourself that God is near, and he will strengthen you and give you wisdom. I quote James 1.5 almost every day. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and abreateth not, and it shall be given him. Galatians 6.9. Here we go. Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. OK, let's look at loneliness in marriage. Yes, you can be lonely as a married person, when you feel your spouse doesn't care or understand you, when you're both learning to sacrifice for each other and one feels like they're always sacrificing more than the other. But remember, the sacrifice is worth the relationship. Maybe you're more needy than your spouse. Many times, a guy can be less loving after marriage. He doesn't say I love you as much as you would like and you feel unloved. Or there are usually the usual financial difficulties. Maybe when you're both paying, you're paying for both your college bills and you want or need other things like a house, a newer car, or a baby's on the way. Loneliness can manifest itself when you're both in anxiety over how will we ever make it? And you're worrying about things from different perspectives, and you don't think the other spouse cares or wants to talk about your side. And the husband can be feeling such a weight upon his shoulders that he doesn't want to hear any more bad things from you. There's a multitude of things that each marriage goes through. And I've only named a few. And it's not the same for each one. But in my experience, it's much easier to navigate all these trials if you make the Lord your anchor and not your spouse. He is our salvation and our hope. And out of that, the Lord can give you security and wisdom and perspective. You can't produce yourself. Through that, the ability to love your spouse in the way he will need. Or maybe your spouse is very difficult because of an addiction or whatever. The Lord will ground you and he will help you. Although the situation causes the most loneliness and heartbreak, I feel. I understand that and I'm praying for you. The Lord has to be your rock. Grab onto him tightly in his word and he will sustain you. He will help you and he is with you. You'll never, you also have a pastor and family or Christian friends that you need to confide in and draw encouragement from. And you need a stable friend to help you navigate all of this and motivate you to keep your eyes on the Lord. But your anchor has to be the Lord because in loneliness, We can become vulnerable in our flesh and make some really bad decisions. And I'm not here to criticize anyone. If you fail, you've made mistakes, confess it and let it humble you and move on. Because we all make mistakes in different areas. It's what you do with it that makes the difference. Note that if you are in an abusive relationship, seek professional help right away. First, from your pastor or counselor. and they can advise you what to do next, but do not go through this alone. That is the enemy's plan to destroy you and your relationship by keeping everything secret and making you carry the entire burden. Be in prayer and ask the Lord for your safety. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, fear not, I will help you. Psalm 62, 8. Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Also in 1 Peter 5, 7, casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you. And Psalms 18 verse six, in my distress, I called upon the Lord. I cried out to my God. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry came before him even unto his ears. The Lord always hears when we call to him, and we are not alone. There are so many women who are in the fall season of life. Maybe children are older or leaving for college or have left. Suddenly, it's only you and your husband at home. You may have less to do and you may be more, or you may have more to do because the kids help so much at home. Oh, man, I guess I have to start mowing the lawn now and filling the wood stove when my husband's gone, or shoveling the walk or the driveway. In my case, oh, man, when the cows got out, I'd have to scramble the neighbors and have them help me to get the cows back in because John would be at work at Grand Rapids or North Dakota. even farther, and then when you get them in, you have to fix the fence. Thank God that didn't happen too often, and I could get the help when I needed it. But anxiety and loneliness at this time is way more than that. It's a feeling of loneliness, of not being needed, or maybe a loss of focus when the kids are busy on their own lives. It could be a sadness that your parents are suddenly slowing down. and having issues they've never had before, or they pass away and they don't have that friend to confide in or lean on. We're moving into the holidays, and that can be a very lonely time for some, especially if we've lost a loved one. That can be very hard. The gifts under the tree are different or nonexistent. It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be very, very lonely for some. Or you just miss dad's funny jokes and humor at the right time to break the tension. Or even wisdom and the thought that if he was here, this wouldn't be a problem. And you feel very lonely, and you miss them so much. Now is the time to remember that you will see them again if they're saved. I believe and then cherish their memories and make new memories. It's the time to make new memories and count your blessings with who you still have here. and what the Lord has provided. Look to others that have lost friends or people that could be lonely, too. Maybe you can give them a call and say, how are you doing? I know it's Christmas. It's kind of a hard time. Give them a call. God understands your pain and loneliness. If you feel very lonely, but you are not alone. There are so many others that are suffering in loneliness in these areas and have walked in these steps already. When John died, it was so helpful to have others who have dealt with death and funerals and buying caskets and grave plots to come alongside and help me. I was in such shock that I couldn't make those decisions. And as God understands our pain and loneliness, He's there for you. Just make the choice to let Him. Trust in the Word of God. I know this to be true. God carries us and walks with us. I asked the Lord many times for peace, strength, and wisdom, and the Lord was faithful. And it's sometimes a moment-by-moment process, but the Lord will give you hope. Psalms 33, 18, behold, the eye of the Lord is on those that fear him and on those who hope in his mercy. Psalms 147, 3, he heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Another stage in life that becomes more and more lonely and filled with anxiety is the winter season. As we age and our circumstances become more tenuous, We may or may not have a spouse. And after the death of a spouse, suddenly we can walk into our house and it may seem so dark and empty and lonely. We know that no one else is there, or no one else is expected to come. Or we may be still working, because you have to pay your bills and you've got to buy health insurance. Our aging living quarters may be in need of expensive repairs, or our aging body needs expensive repairs. New hip, new knees, new shoulders, our eyes become dim. and some kind of surgery is needed, or cancer comes up, or heart issues and blood clots are words that suddenly come out of your doctor's mouth about you. And teeth, oh, the builds can add up so quickly for those as we are filling, capping, bridging, root canaling, and extracting. Chemo has done a number on my teeth. And after I saw my x-rays, it was so depressing. It can be so lonely navigating through old age. And we can be in such anxiety and fear of what will happen next. Maybe a nursing home, we may be in a nursing home or in an assisted living. I have visited many of these places. Home for them is different now. And familiar things are not there. And it gets very quiet suddenly. You feel life has no purpose. You feel that you are a burden to your family. Or you feel that you have lost all your independence, not being able to drive anywhere, and you have to wait for rides. And the visitors are few and far between. My friends, in these situations, I want you to know there is a purpose for your life. God has a purpose for you always. You can pray for all your loved ones and others around you. When in conversations, ask, what can I pray for you about? Have a piece of paper and write it down, or have them write it down, so you know what to pray for them. And one thing about your place is that you are surrounded by people, people that need hope also. Talk to the people you're at dinner with. You could start a Bible study with your neighbor, or a group by gathering to watch a church service on YouTube, or have a pastor come in for it, or a prayer group with two or three ladies. Just reaching out to others around you can be so wonderful. And you'll see them as friends, not just as workers or patients, other patients. I've learned so far that we need to take things one day at a time. And we need to enjoy today and what the Lord has for us today. Just like Jesus said, tomorrow will take care of itself. And remember, he is in our tomorrows. He's already gone ahead. Sufficient are the worries of today, he said in Matthew. And because of his presence, we have Psalms 18, 35 through 36. You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand has held me up. Your gentleness has made me great, established me. You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip. And the Lord reminds us in Matthew 28 20, And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. And Psalms 23, 4, yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. And your rod and the staff, they comfort me. Let's look at some truths to remember in loneliness that help us today. God loves us beyond measure. He proved his love at Calvary. when Jesus Christ died for our sins upon the cross and was buried and rose again in victory over death, 1 Corinthians 15, three and four. And he continues to love us in our Christian life, 1 Corinthians 13. Note that most of this message is to saved women. However, if you're not saved and you do not know what would happen to you if you died, there's hope in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us in John 3, 16, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. We are saved by faith alone and Christ worked for us for our sin. It is a gift that we take by faith and there's nothing we can do to earn it. Ephesians 2.8 and 9 says, for by grace you have been saved through faith. and that not of yourselves is gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Salvation is that easy. Christ paid for all your sins on the cross and said, it is finished. So my friend, don't wait. Believe it, and it's yours today. and allow the Lord to help you and comfort you in your loneliness. Also, God's forgiveness was complete and full, so there's nothing left for us to do to gain eternal life and salvation from the penalty of sin and in our Christian lives. as we are accepted because of the work of Jesus Christ, not because we merit it. Good days are bad. Only our fellowship is hindered when we sin after we're saved. Just confess it and agree with God about your sin and let it humble you. God wants fellowship and unhindered relationship with you more than you know. Acknowledge, and then we should acknowledge the reality of loneliness in our life. It is not a sin to be lonely. You will not lose your salvation because of it. Be real, not fake. Bring it to the Lord and talk about it to a trusted friend or a pastor. They can help sometimes just by listening and acknowledging they too have struggles and loneliness and what helped them. Their compassion and understanding can make you feel less lonely right away. And your friends won't have all the answers, but that's okay. They may want to, but only God can. But just a listening ear can go a long way. Jeremiah has some words of comfort for us as he seeks to point us to the Lord, to know Him. He saw the compassion and the comfort of the presence of the Lord. And in his loneliness, he speaks to us this encouragement from Jeremiah 17, seven and eight. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is the Lord, for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and he will not fear when he comes, but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit. Take, accept loneliness as part of your life and accept God's provision for your loneliness. He's the only one that can fill it. He's the only one that can show up wherever, whenever we need him. Others may try. but they can't do what only God can. He understands you more than you know, and loved ones may try to help us, but fail because only God can really unlock and comfort us in our loneliness because he understands us. Jesus suffered in a very lonely life in many ways. Isaiah describes Jesus' lonely life in chapter 53, verse three. He was despised. and rejected of men, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. And we his that were our faces from him. He was despised and we did not esteem him. Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. And because of Jesus' life, he can understand our loneliness. Then in Hebrews we read, for we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find help, grace to help in the time of need. Hebrews 4, 15 and 16. And let the Lord use his word to speak peace and comfort to our lonely heart. Be honest and humble about your heart. Maybe there is something you are angry about or that you have to let go of. Ask the Lord to help you through your tears. I'm sure all the people in the Bible had times just like this and needed to see God's amazing grace and forgiveness. In the story of Ruth, Naomi, The mother-in-law was bitter and lonely and without hope because of the hardship in Moab. As her husband died and her two sons died, she decided to go back to Judah. And she told her two daughters-in-law to go back to their homeland. She said to them, it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me. And later she says, do not call me Naomi, call me Mara. for the Almighty God has dealt bitterly with me. She could not see God's goodness, or neither could she have figured out how the Lord would take care of her and Ruth. But she did what we need to do in times of loneliness and anxiety, go back to God. She left the foreign country and went back to Judah, and that was going back to the people of God to where God was worshiped. And when we're suffering from loneliness because of our circumstances, is it because we're spending too much time in God's presence? No, never. Asaph says in Psalms 100, 19, 15, and 16, I will meditate on your precepts and I will contemplate your ways. I will delight myself in your statutes so that I will not forget your word. Like Naomi, we go back to where the Lord can speak truth into our hearts. Even if our feelings are messed up, the Lord will understand and comfort you, and you will see there is healing and blessing in being close to the Lord. Also, when your feelings are so deep, songs can often open your eyes and use the truth of God's word to give us strength. Psalms 118 verse 14 says, the Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation from my loneliness. and believers need to see what they have in Christ. In Ephesians 22, verses 18 through 20, Paul tries to describe this, that the eyes of your understanding would be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of your calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Verse 19, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe? Which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in heavenly places. And Jeremiah says in chapter 15, verse 16, thy words were found and I did eat them. And your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. The Lord wants us to know him and have hope in his love and see the riches of his glory in our inheritance here on planet earth in Jesus Christ. And sometimes our loneliness and anxiety can bring fear. Oh, I forgot to do that. Okay. Anxiety in the future. There we are. Anxiety fears the future. Remember, Carroll said that fear is a cousin to anxiety. Isaiah has another word of encouragement in chapter 41, verse 10. I love this verse. Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yea, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Notice there are two do nots, two I ams, and three I wills. God speaks in tenderness here. Do not fear. Fear not. Do not be dismayed, unsettled, alarmed, scared, and nervous. Why? I am with you. I am your God. How does that help me now? I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous hand. I will be there with you in this. I will give you strength and help and wisdom. Call unto me. My faithfulness to my promises will uphold thee. And it is a miracle thing that happens when we turn our anxiety and loneliness to God and he enlightens our eyes to see him. and his amazing love and power to comfort and strengthen us in a way we usually are not expecting that brings honor and glory to him. Remember our theme verses for this year, Philippians 4, 4 through 8. A calm, calm my anxious heart. The CALM acronym. C, continue to rejoice in the Lord. A, always pray in faith with thanksgiving. L, let God's peace guard your heart and minds through Christ Jesus. And M, meditate on God's truth. And I pray that the Lord would comfort you that these truths would be an encouragement to you during the times of loneliness. I would like to read Great is Thy Faithfulness. The words of this song are amazing. Oh God, my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not. For as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. I just want you to just in your loneliness, remember that God is faithful and his promises are true. Let's pray. I pray that your word, Lord, would reveal the heart of God today. You are for us and not against us. That the Lord would fill the loneliness in our hearts as John 10, 10 says, I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. Help us to put our faith in these words. Thank you for this food and the precious fellowship. May we grow closer as a body of saved women. And that all of these Bibles will bring honor and glory to you. Amen.