DO YOU FEEL ALL ALONE?

I {Mandy} have had some interesting conversations lately.

I have come in contact with 3 different women who all have struggles-and who doesn't, really?

But the interesting part was, we all felt very alone in our struggles.

And the even more interesting part was: What these other women were struggling with are things I am struggling with.

And as we shared with each other these things (said in casual conversation, not necessarily a soul-baring, intense meeting), we realized we weren't alone.

The details were different, but the basic struggle was exactly the same.

And I know I've read this, heard this, and even said this before, but it's SO VERY IMPORTANT to acknowledge that WE ARE NOT ALONE.

We all struggle with the same underlying issues:

• Fear/Anxiety
• Worry for our children/our families
• Marriage difficulties
• Health issues
• Insecurity/image issues
• Fatigue from being a mom (okay, not everyone is a mom, but all those who are moms struggle with this from time to time)
• Relationship struggles
• Pride
• Motivation or lack thereof
• Finding balance in life
• Work issues
• 
  

And the list goes on and on....

While knowing we are not in this alone does not fix the problem(s), it CAN at least let us know we are not on an island. Sometimes just knowing that someone else has the same thoughts and fears as we do goes a long way to reassure us that ours isn't a problem with no solution. We aren't the ONLY ONES on this planet who feel this way. And, hearing from someone else going through whatever it is we are going through can help as far as learning new ways to cope with/deal with the problem.

Also? When I had this situation where I bared my soul to someone (unexpectedly) we ended up both crying together about the struggle we shared (and didn't even know we shared!) and then we prayed together. We were reassured. Our issue wasn't solved, but we knew we could rely on each other for support. And holy moly...how awesome to pray together:

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-21)

And let's look at the Message Version because I am such a big, fat fan of the Message version:

“Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” 

(Matthew 18:19-21, MSG, Emphasis mine.)

"My Father in Heaven goes into action."

Oh man!!

And I think that is so important--relying on and praying with and for one another. Because when I am struggling with something, I want Jesus busting into the Throne Room and interceding on my behalf. Amen? I want Him right there, on the spot, present in my current circumstances! He is telling us in Matthew 18 that if 2 or more are praying in His name, HE IS THERE.

And better??

The Father GOES INTO ACTION.

Let's soak that in for a minute.

The Man who walked on water, fed 1,000s from a few small fish and a couple of loaves of bread, healed blind men and raised people from the dead...is there. Is Here. With us.

And more?

God is GOING INTO ACTION. For US

We can't ever forget that. We can't give audience to the thought that we are alone. 

Because what better way to divide the church than to listen to the lying whisper in our ears that says "You're all alone. No one understands. You'll never get out of this place. There's no hope."

Sometimes, being locked up in my own head, thinking and re-thinking and re-thinking my same old thoughts only serves to solidify those thoughts in my brain. And I dwell and obsess on the very things I do not want to be thinking about.

That is outside of what Christ tells us to do. Instead:

"Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." (Phil 4:8. MSG).

And what an excellent and beautiful harmony is Christ's people who work in accord with one another and who support each other!

Let's make a conscious effort to think about the best--and not the worst; the beautiful--and not the ugly; and to praise--and not curse.


Heavenly Father,
It is so easy to dwell on all the things that trouble us or bother us rather than filling our minds with beautiful, noble and true thoughts. Please fill our minds with Your Truths and guide us in sharing those Truths with others. Lead us to be a bright spot of someone else's day and allow us the transparency to be real with each other...so that we all know we are not in this alone. We have each other, and--most importantly--we have You. We praise You for all you bless us with every day. Please continue to bless us with community. Please remind us on an hourly basis that You are here and You are in action for us. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

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