Sometimes lonely...

[UndividedDevotion11]

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:11-13

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.- Romans 8:28

Those verses really bless me!! Although I am confident that the Lord will bless me with that "special someone" I also feel that it's important for me to be patient and to trust God - easier said than done! Can anybody relate? At times I am overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness and helplessness. As much as I would like to take matters into my hands (I have and I learned a lot from those experiences) I know in my heart of hearts that God wants me to be in a place of undivided devotion and submission to Him. So, my question is this...? What do you do that helps you when you feel sometimes lonely???

[Rx]

What do you do that helps you when you feel sometimes lonely???

Those are great scriptures, no doubt.  "with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt."

Would it be untrue to say that lonliness only happens when you are'nt reaching out to minister to God's people?

 Nothing beats an intense mission for keeping yourself focused.

The steadfast of mind
  You will keep in perfect peace,
        Because he trusts in You.

[Deanna]

Would it be untrue to say that lonliness only happens when you are'nt reaching out to minister to God's people?

Interesting...  last year ('09) was one of my better Thanksgivings (US).  My two sisters are both married with children and I'm the "cat lady" of the family.  They typically spend holidays with one of them, leaving me to entertain myself.  Last year I decided to volunteer at a place that serves Thanksgiving meals to the less fortunate.  Much better than sitting home alone!

[Rx]

  Much better than sitting home alone!

No doubt Deanna. I visited "crossdaily.com/search/list.php3?cat=10" which is their missions list. Looks like hundreds of self acclaimed missions to investigate and those are just a fraction.  Summer is great for fitting in a short term mission for a lot of people.  I'd prefer hearing a personal referral tho, to one I pulled out of a hat like that. Ive been wishing more people would pipe up about their missions, short  or long.... but thats another thread perhaps.

Not sure my "stammering lips" are worthy of the Gospel, but I can sure try to lend support to a water well drilling crew or some such.

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

[Hawk]

I've been to Europe and Mexico on mission type trips that involved building projects and Vacation Bible School. There's an annual opportunity in my state with my current congregation, but it would be easier to do if some church friends would join in on the adventure. These trips are a great way to experience another place without having to travel solo. You also get a perspective tourists probably won't ever see.

It seems like if you cavass the churches in your community, you can find a mission opportunity that is locally sponsored. Then you can actually meet the people you will be going with and prepare for it. 

[Johnny1979]

I dunno i think im too chicken for hte misson field if was about to die in the mission field i would probably rat my fellwo brothers and sisters to save my own skin. Hey no man wants to die right? lol

[Johnny1979]

I work out I blast my music up I play video games I talk to friends and my siblings.
I really wish you all the best Rx in you waitng on GOD to give that special someone.
Good Luck and God Bless

[ThyWillBeDone]

I can very much empathize with how you've felt.     I think it's important to note 2 things though:
1) Even though we don't like to think about it, nowhere in the Bible does God guarantee us a mate.   In fact, there have been some very great men & women of God, who never married.   (not that I desire that, or that you do, but to portray God as a heavenly matchmaker, is to be deceived.)  Even a brief skim through the gospels, or most of what Paul (who says he wishes that all were as he himself [ie, single]) wrote, shows us quite plainly, that although God has many desires & goals for us, being happily married, is not one of them.   In fact, we are told that there is no marriage in heaven.  (will find reference upon request)
Perhaps these verses sum it up best:
"8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isa 55:

2) There are numerous things we can do, to stay busy, & keep our minds off of being alone.   Many of them are not bad at all.       I'm not saying that we should never do any of those things, please don't misunderstand, but, I think God's desire, is that we spend time with Him.   
David talks much about this in the Psalms. 
I'm reminded of verses like James 4:8
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. "

Maybe not having anyone else, isn't just a lack of the other half, it's also an opportunity to develop more intimacy with God. 

God Bless, & stay close to Jesus!    ( who *ALSO*, BTW, never married!)

[Johnny1979]

Everytime i think about Jesus I am reminded how i regret being married knowing marriage is for life no matter if my wife is going to divorced me and be with her new boy friend! That no matter what I must live with this till the day i die!!!! Please do not tell me crap about a Salvation no one appreciates look around u open your eyes!!!! NO ONE WANTS THE LORD NO ONE NOT IN THE CHURCHES NOT ANY WHERE UNLESS IT IS IN CONVIENANCE! I KNOW IM NOT GOING TO HEAVEN I CAN NOT LIVE FOR HIM CANT ENDURE HIS DAMN TESTS TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS HE WAS A FOOL TO GIVE ME LIFE KNOWING TH END RESULT WOULD BE ME SAYIN THE THINGS THAT IM SAYING NOW!
IF YOUR NEVER MARRIED DONT GET MARRIED! IF YOUR MARRIED BUT YOU ARE SEPARATED OR DIVORCED AND PREACHING OBEDIANACE TO JESUS KNOWING YOU GOTTA CELIBATE TILL THE DAY DIE HOPE YOU ARE LIVIN THE LIFE! BECAUSE JESUS DONT HAVE ANY MERCY FOR YOU IF YOUR NOT! ITS DIES MISERABLE FOR JESUS AND BE WITH OR LIVE 4 YOURSELF, DIE AND BURN IN HELL!
HOPE U GOT THE GUTS FOR HAT CUZ I DONT!
i AINT COMING BACK TO GOD UNLESS IM DYING IN A DEATH BED! IM FED UP LIVING FR HIM

IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNW NOW I WOULD NEVER BE A CHRSTIAN I WOULD SAVE MYSELF ALOT OF PAINAND GRIEF

[ThyWillBeDone]

Johnny, I don't know the details of your circumstances, if you want to msg me, that's fine, but, otherwise, it's between you, & God.
I do know, that divorce & remarriage between Christians, is adultery, except in the case of unfaithfulness/cheating.   (was your wife a Christian?)

Jesus & Paul spell it out plainly.
For reference, please read:
Matthew 19:4-10,  Matthew 5:31-32.   
I Corinthians 7: 1-11, especially 10 & 11.
Mark 10:12
Luke 18:20
Romans 13:9
James 2:11      Ga 5:19
I Thessalonians 4:3 [fornication]

I also know, that contrary to what you feel & believe, there are *MANY*  Who desire Jesus, salvation, & to go to heaven.  In fact, I would guess most on this site feel that way.

From about PS:
"PURPOSEFUL SINGLENESS belongs to the Lord to fulfill His purposes in encouraging and equipping Christian singles around the globe to serve Him wholeheartedly. "
& their mission statement:
"PURPOSEFUL SINGLENESS is dedicated to providing inspiration, encouragement, and support for Christian singles who may or may not feel called to singleness, but who desire to live purposeful lives for Jesus Christ."

I won't even go into how many churches there are, & Christians in many countries.  (who strongly desire the LORD, & the salvation, you so much despise)

If you rely upon yourself, yes, you will fail.  It is only by *HIS* strength, & in *HIS* power, that we are able to walk the Christian walk. 
Paul said he could do all things, (HOW?)   "through CHRIST who strengthens me."   (Phil 4:13)

You *CAN* live for Him, you *CAN* endure, IF YOU WANT TO
Make no mistake, Jesus said "in this world you will have TRIBULATION."   BUT, He *ALSO* said " be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

God gave you life, b/c He *LOVES* you;   He gave you CHOICE, & FREEWILL, for the same reason.    Love allows CHOICE, even if that choice, is rejection.
Make no mistake.      You have the *CHOICE*, to choose to follow Jesus;  to choose LIFE, instead of DEATH.
We all have that choice.

Jesus *DOES* have mercy.  In fact, to the thief on the cross (who by his own admission, DESERVED to die!) who called Him LORD, Jesus said, "today, you will be with me in paradise."
1 John 1:9 says *IF*  we confess our sins, He is faithful & just to forgive us our sins, & cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
He has mercy on those who ASK for it, & REPENT.

Jesus said, "My yoke is easy, & my burden is light.   If you're living for JESUS (not yourself, or anyone else) & you're miserable, something is wrong.
I get lonely, depressed, etc just like most singles, *BUT*, when I live for Jesus (which I confess, is not all the time) & keep my eyes on HIM (Heb 2:12) I'm not miserable AT ALL!
In fact, that's one way to tell----if we're miserable all the time, we're living for OURSELVES (or some other person we can't please) & NOT Jesus.
This is why Paul & Silas were able to sing, *SING*! in chains in a jail cell!    Because their eyes were on JESUS, & they were living for HIM!

Guts has nothing to do with it----I'm a wimp, there's  lot of people braver & stronger & bigger than I am, *BUT*, there's a difference:   I *KNOW* who my God is, & how *POWERFUL* & *BIG* & *STRONG* HE is;   (see, it's not me who matters, but HIM)    He created the world, the universe, & ALL things.   Therefore, I can TRUST Him, & rely Him, b/c I KNOW Him.
As the verse says, the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great things.  [Daniel 11:32]
Do you know your God?   Do you *WANT* to know Him???
Jesus is waiting patiently for you.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."  (Rev 3:20)

You can come BACK to Him, or, you can walk away from Him.  IT IS YOUR CHOICE.
 

PS Pain, & grief, are a part of life, make no mistake. Do not think, that by walking away from God, your life will be pain & grief free.  Do not be deceived.  [/i][/u]