I Was Not Alone and Neither Are You

There have been a handful of times in my life when I felt completely alone. Recently, I experienced one of those times. My husband, Darian, and I found ourselves in a valley of decisions that I did not want to be in. A few years ago we purchased a property in a cute, vacation destination area. It needed a great deal of work, but we were there for it. We affectionately referred to it as Big View Lodge. We thought it was the perfect place for our growing family to gather a few times a year to holiday together. We also knew we’d have to rent it out some to make it work.

We had several family gatherings there and made incredible memories. We cooked and shared meals, laid out in hammocks, had bonfires, played games, drank coffee, watched movies, laughed, and even cried together in this home. On occasion, we brought friends with us and even had a women’s ministry retreat there. I could imagine sharing this home with my friends and family for generations.

But instead of sharing our lodge with people we love for decades to come, we sold it.

Through a series of unfortunate events and misguided information, we were no longer able to rent out the lodge. (That twisted road was full of prayer, heart checks, and forgiveness.) But I did not want to sell the house. I had become emotionally attached to the dream of it being used to bless our family and others. Yet I don’t usually get attached to things. I changed homes eight times before I graduated high school. I’ve changed homes eight times since. Additionally, Darian and I have flipped several houses in our marriage. I’ve never been attached to any of them.

Through some soul searching, I realized it wasn’t the house in particular I was attached to. It was the idea of who we could share it with, the dream of my kids and grandkids making memories there, and the reality that I wasn’t getting a choice about whether to sell it or not. I can sell a home easily when it’s my choice, but this wasn’t.

I cried out to the Lord to do a miracle. I was hoping for the happy ending that arrives in every Christmas movie where the family farm or lodge is in jeopardy. I just knew the Lord was going to come through for me. He did come through — just not in the way I expected Him to.

I had prayed, fasted, worshiped, thanked the Lord, and even did a Jericho march. Yet, the day came when I had to sign the papers over to someone else. It was so discouraging. The week leading up to selling the lodge I felt a little like King David when he was praying for his child to live (2 Samuel 12). I know this may seem dramatic and normally I’m even not a dramatic person. I simply know that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy and that Jesus came to give life to the full (John 10:10).

This felt like something was being stolen. It felt like the thief had won.

On our way into town to sign the papers over to the new owners I had a conversation with the Lord. I told Him, “Father, I feel so alone.” I said that to Him two or three times. Then I finally heard softly, sweetly, and sternly, “That is not truth. You are not alone. Think about what things are true.“

I immediately knew what the Lord was saying. He was telling me His character has never been, nor will it ever be, to leave me or forsake me.

Right then and there I repented. I knew the Lord was right. I began to say to myself, “You will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6). You, Lord, are for me, and if you are for me, who could be against me (Romans 8:31)? You are my ever-present help in time of need” (Psalm 46:1). I had to change the way I was thinking. Thinking I was alone, made me feel alone.

I was never alone in this scenario or any other. As soon as I reminded myself what the Word of God says, it changed how I felt. My emotions adjusted to the Word of God.

Just like I was not alone, you are not alone. Whatever you’re going through, whatever the obstacle is, God has not left you. He is there. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). We have to take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions of something hard, hurtful, and even unfair. We can throw ourselves a pity party and think we’re all alone. It reminds me of when the disciples were all in the boat with Jesus when the storm came. They were all freaking out and afraid. They woke Jesus up and asked Him if He even cared that they were about to die.

I always thought it was ridiculous of them to accuse Jesus of not caring. However, there have been many times I’ve done the same thing. I may not have said it exactly like they did, but I meant it.

We see that Jesus does care. He ended up calming the storm for them. Jesus calmed the storm inside of me and He’ll calm the storm for you too.

If you’re thinking today, that you’re alone or the Lord does not care, listen. You will hear Him say to you what He said to me, “That is not truth. You are not alone. Think about what things are true.” Then find the truth in God’s Word and think and say those things.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they would have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 NIV

Though we sold our lodge, the Lord turned it around for our good. He truly does give us life to the full.