REFUGE FOR THE LONELINESS OF LIFE: FAMILY CONFLICT (8 OF 29)
by John Barnett
This content is part of a series.
Refuge for the Loneliness of Life: Family Conflict (8 of 29)
Series: Christ Our Refuge
John Barnett
Loneliness ''is the most desolate word in all human language. It is capable of hurling the heaviest weights the heart can endure.
It plays no favorites, ignores all rules of courtesy, knows neither border nor barrier, yields no mercy, refuses all bargains, and holds the clock in utter contempt. It cannot be bribed; it will not be left behind.
Crowds only make it worse, activity simply drives it deeper. Silent and destructive as a flooding river in the night, it leaves its slimy banks, seeps into our dwelling, and rises to a crest of despair. Tears fall from our eyes as groans fall from our lips-but loneliness, that uninvited guest of the soul, arrives at dusk and stays for dinner.
There is simply no other anguish like the consuming anguish of loneliness. Ask the inmate in prison this evening…or the uniformed man thousands of miles at sea or in some bar tonight…or the divorcee in that apartment…or the one who just buried his or her life's companion…or the couple whose arms ache for the child recently taken…or even the single, career-minded person who prepares a meal for one and goes to bed early, alone, [and] surrounded by the mute memory of yesterday's song and today's disappointment''.[1]
But even this grief and sorrow we feel of loneliness--Christ is acquainted with; and even loneliness can be conquered by fleeing to Christ the refuge for the lonely.
Loneliness-if you ever feel it, know that He felt it. If you ever suffer feeling friendless-know that He is the friend who will stick closer than a brother. If you ever feel forsaken-remember He said that He would never leave you or forsake you. If you feel alone-trust the One who said I am with you always, to the end!
Though loneliness has many forms-it has but one purpose. Loneliness is when God takes something or someone out of my life-so He can be closest to me. This means that lonelin ...
Series: Christ Our Refuge
John Barnett
Loneliness ''is the most desolate word in all human language. It is capable of hurling the heaviest weights the heart can endure.
It plays no favorites, ignores all rules of courtesy, knows neither border nor barrier, yields no mercy, refuses all bargains, and holds the clock in utter contempt. It cannot be bribed; it will not be left behind.
Crowds only make it worse, activity simply drives it deeper. Silent and destructive as a flooding river in the night, it leaves its slimy banks, seeps into our dwelling, and rises to a crest of despair. Tears fall from our eyes as groans fall from our lips-but loneliness, that uninvited guest of the soul, arrives at dusk and stays for dinner.
There is simply no other anguish like the consuming anguish of loneliness. Ask the inmate in prison this evening…or the uniformed man thousands of miles at sea or in some bar tonight…or the divorcee in that apartment…or the one who just buried his or her life's companion…or the couple whose arms ache for the child recently taken…or even the single, career-minded person who prepares a meal for one and goes to bed early, alone, [and] surrounded by the mute memory of yesterday's song and today's disappointment''.[1]
But even this grief and sorrow we feel of loneliness--Christ is acquainted with; and even loneliness can be conquered by fleeing to Christ the refuge for the lonely.
Loneliness-if you ever feel it, know that He felt it. If you ever suffer feeling friendless-know that He is the friend who will stick closer than a brother. If you ever feel forsaken-remember He said that He would never leave you or forsake you. If you feel alone-trust the One who said I am with you always, to the end!
Though loneliness has many forms-it has but one purpose. Loneliness is when God takes something or someone out of my life-so He can be closest to me. This means that lonelin ...
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