Thursday, December 27, 2012

Loneliness

We all have it, but why? Is it worse to be alone or to be in a group of people and feel alone? What causes it?

Loneliness is caused by many things but at one point or another it is a struggle for most people I believe. Things like friendships take time, circumstances can be confusing, or feelings unknown/ uncertain.

I believe God gives it to us as a gift like so many other trying things he test us and calls us to embrace him. Where do we go at the first thought of this. In public I retreat to the safety of mind, which isn't really that safe after all as it wanders, but in private I retreat to his words. He loves me, he is with me always, he accepts me as I am and deems me as worthy. These are the truths. Not what my mind wants to tell me like no one cares about you, you are alone (really, I'm sure 90% of the time there is at least one person who feels as ackward as I do!) you are not worthy.

Last year I began to memorize scripture and this helps me to combat the lies the world tells me and my sinful nature conjures. No this life is not easy and sometimes it is lonely but I've learned we have a faithful and loyal God and I want to carry those characteristics. I'll leave you with one of my favorite poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox entitled "Solitude"

Laugh and the world laughs with you
Weep and you weep alone
For this sad old earth must borrow its mirth
 but has troubles enough of its own
Sing and the hills will answer
Sigh it is lost in the air
The echoes sound to a joyful sound
But shrink from voicing care
Feast and your halls are crowded
Fast and the world goes by
Succeed and give 
And it helps you live
But no man can help you die
In the halls of pleasure
There is room for a long and lofty train
But one by one we must all file
Through the narrow aisles of pain