From “Lessons in the Wilderness” by David G. Perkins
“Look to the right and see: there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Psalm 142:4-5 ESV
There Are Times
When abandonment is a reality. When your tears are your only drink. When loneliness threatens to crush you. When your love has abandoned you for any number of reasons, and the pain is still as intense today as it was when it first happened. When you are standing around with your co-workers who do not want to hear about your circumstances. When you text or call someone because you need to talk, to feel connected to another human, to know you are not as alone as you think you are…and it becomes immediately obvious you have not connected in the way you need to connect.
When no one genuinely cares.
“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” – Mother Theresa
Who Cares?
“O Lord, all my longing is before you; My sighing is not hidden from you.” – Psalm 38:9 ESV
This is the hardest time. This is when you have to stop struggling and start trusting God. Even when it seems like your prayers are bouncing off a brass ceiling, please, know, dear friend, God has not abandoned you. God is not unaware of your pain. He sends his own Spirit to keep you company. He loves you beyond your ability to comprehend, but not beyond your ability to appreciate, if you will simply be still and listen.
Wait on Him. God cares for it is written, “Casting all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7
Let go of your agenda for happiness and fulfillment, it is not working for you. Instead, remember that as you turn everything in your life over to Him, his promise is:
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Let’s be about it
David G. Perkins