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Combating loneliness

With the school year and season of church ministry coming to a close, I have been thinking about what to expect in the coming months. Not much will change in my own life as I will continue to work in Detroit and live in Ann Arbor, but for many of the people around me things WILL look drastically different, whether it be moving to another city or taking on different responsibilities where they currently are. While other people's decisions don't alter my desire to invest in college students lives, in complete frankness, I can foresee feelings of loneliness creeping in already.


Yesterday the women in our church wrapped up our study on some common "lies women believe in (and the truths that set us free)". I didn't expect the three sessions to be a silver bullet (end-all-solution) to all my problems, but one thing I walked away with is the need for me to dispel every lie in my mind with a DIRECT, corresponding truth from the Bible.

Recently whenever I give a personal update, I have found myself giving disclaimers such as "I know this is completely unbiblical but.." before I talk about what's currently on my mind. Clearly I am well-aware of at least a few lies I currently believe in, yet am not willing to take the initiative to actually confront them individually with truths. So life app #1 to combat my fear of loneliness:

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:9-10)

Lord help me to know that even when I feel alone as my friends are taking different paths, that surely you are with me always, to the very end of age.

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