‘“Sometimes we react by a kind of religious reflex and repeat dutifully the proper words and phrases even though they fail to express our real feelings and lack authenticity of personal experience. Right now is such a time. A certain conventional loyalty may lead some who hear this unfamiliar truth expressed for the first time to say brightly, “Oh I am never lonely. God said, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee,’ and Christ said, ‘Lo, I am with you always.’ How can I be lonely when Jesus is with me?” Now I do not want to reflect on the sincerity of any Christian soul, but this stock testimony is too neat to be real.’” –A. W. Tozer
“Never again the boy-life,
Only the pain and joy life--
More the first than the last.”
Oswald Chambers agrees stating, “Loneliness marks the child of God.” The Christian walk is full of joy, but also great sadness and depression. In the beginning of our walk God allows many of us to experience life up on the mountain, but as we grow in grace we learn that we only saw through a glass dimly what the Christian life really is like.
What are we to do when we experience these times of darkness? That I can only partially answer, for I am in a time of darkness myself. The first thing I think we must do, though it is far easier said than done, is to fix our eyes on Christ. He is our hope and we must constantly remind ourselves of this, I must constantly remind myself of this. The second thing I think we must do, is take our thoughts captive. My emotions have been running like crazy these past few weeks and I have often let them rule over me. I have let them become my rule of interpretation. For instance, in my last blog I mentioned feeling rejected. While it is possible that that person is interested in someone else, it is equally possible that my insecurities blinded me so that through my blurry lens friendly actions were judged as something more. This is why it is important to remember our purpose—to glory Christ and to take our thoughts captive. Who knows where Satan would lead us if we let our thoughts and emotions run unchecked. I cannot always control how I feel, but I can control thoughts that lead to certain feelings. What has been helpful to me is remembering that emotions never last. How I feel today does not determine how I will feel tomorrow. It is also helpful to remember I am at war and that there is an enemy who is prowling around seeking to devour us. Being able to discern the work of Satan is imperative to finding peace in the midst of a storm of emotions that lead us to believe lies. The last thing I think we must do in these times is praise God. Charles Spurgeon said about the devil, “He is well aware that mournful Christians often dishonor the faithfulness of God by mistrusting it. Thus he thinks if he can worry us until we no longer believe in the constancy and goodness of the Lord, he will have robbed God of His praise." It is hard, to be sure, to praise God in the midst of melancholy, but it necessary nonetheless.
My friend, I pray that if you too are struggling, you might be encouraged to know you are not alone. Many who have gone before us have struggled just the same. May God be faithful to complete the work he began in you and carry your burdens as he has promised. May God comfort your heart and strengthen it in every good work.
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