June 8, Loneliness

Today’s reading: Psalms 36-40

“My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away” - Psalm 38:11.

It’s convenient for people to avoid you when you are going through difficulty and they do it for many reasons. One is that they lack empathy and just don’t understand what you are going through. Another is that they don’t want to say the wrong thing, so they say no thing. Perhaps they think your predicament is your own fault, so they distance themselves because they are being judgmental. And sometimes people don’t want to be around when you feel badly because you will make them feel badly. Whatever the reason, people can and will disappoint you, especially when you are in need. Paul experienced this betrayal as he reported to Timothy: “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15). Have you experienced betrayal or loneliness lately? Are you bitter or resentful? Are you feeling sorry for yourself, or worse yet, are you depressed (if so, please seek counseling or medical help)? This may be a time when God is showing you that He alone is the One on whom you can count in your day of trouble?