Lonely and Afflicted

Ever feel like God has given you more than you can handle? Sometimes God will ask hard things from you. Though people quote scripture to you, say encouraging words and throw trite phrases your way, sometimes it feels as if they are hoping their words will suffice because they don't really have the time to invest in your wounds. You are left feeling lonely and afflicted. You are left questioning and wondering if God really does have love in mind when pain and tribulation etches so deeply upon your heart.

The Psalms speak of being overwhelmed with the sorrows of life over and over again - being handed a heavier load than the heart can bear. If God didn't allow more than you could handle on your own....why would you ever call out to him? Why would you see the need to change if you thought you could save yourself? Why would your inner-most ever seek to be comforted and fulfilled if we were capable of soothing self?

Your trial is meant to draw you near to God. You may not understand at all why these things have come upon you. You may never understand. But God has purpose in this time of sorrow. God has not left you nor is He left without a plan for your tomorrow.

He is near you, beloved, in your lonliness and affliction....God is so very near.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Psalm 25:16