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.
Tyra thank you for all you wrote in today devotion. We are never alone God is the all seeing eye that takes care of us watches us like a Father does his children he loves. As God is our Heavenly Father we are his children. We are all daughters of these king of kings and that is Jesus. Sure God knew us even before we born when in our mother womb. As it says in Psalm 139 verse 13 “For you formed my inward parts you covered me in my mother’s womb” how amazing is that. Even in verse 17 of Psalms 139 ” How precious also are your (God) thoughts to me O God how great is the sum of them” those verses say it all. How true they are that God loves us from the very minute we were conceived in our mother womb. So how much more will he love us. As this song also says it all in the first few words ” How Deep the Father love for us fast beyond all measure” So we are never alone. Even in are troubles. All we have to do in them is pray and stand on the promises of God’s word. God might not answer them as quickly as we want are the way we want. God sometimes doesn’t take them away. Like the people in Moses day. He had them walk through the red sea he helped them through it. He didn’t take there problems away like they would have want to. In the waiting no matter the wight. We have to trust God that he knows best and knows the right time to answer us. But we can get inpatient in waiting. But if we are patient in the end we will see God’s hand was in all the time and God new best. We are never alone in it all. God is holding us and his arms are round us. That is something I had to learn to do. Yes it hard when have problems and life not going as it should all going wrong around us. We have still keep praying and trusting God standing on the promises of his word no matter what we are going through. Like the song “Stand on the promises of God the promises that can not will not fail” it not easy. But in time we can look back I have and say God was with me through this all along. Even when it not easy you feel your world is crumbling around you. So true. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
Dawn,
You are so right! I love this sentience you wrote: “ We have still keep praying and trusting God standing on the promises of his word no matter what we are going through.”
No matter what we trust the Lors because He is trustworthy!
Many Blessings,
Tyra
Dear Tyra…..As I sit here at my computer the window is right here and I watch the snow coming down. We haven’t had much so far this winter, but I watched it and thought about God who created this beautiful winter scene for our pleasure. It is great, of course, before you have to and clear your car, and at 78 years old and no help, I find it very difficult. I am used to a garage always when I was married. It does always remind me that even though I live alone now, I truly am NOT alone. God is here with me and He will take care of me and keep me safe. With all the issues that I am dealing with right now, knowing that He is with me is very uplifting. I thank Him every day for keeping me strong and able to put one foot in front of the other. I know He is working behind the scenes, so today as I watch the snow, I will stay calm and be patient. As the necklace I have on today says, “Be still and know”. He will be here. Thank you Tyra and love to you and your family……….Betsy Basile
Of course it would be nice to hear how God resolved this for your good! Life is a series of adjustments and it’s encouraging to read scriptures of faithful men and women who stayed steadfast in prayer and seeking God through their own tumultuous times. This too shall pass, in its way, and faithful God brings us new joys every morning, when we desire Him and His presence more than our desired circumstances. He has an indescribably perfectly beautiful home prepared for us, so thankful to be reminded.