Loneliness is a condition we have all experienced but do not welcome. However, loneliness can be a great opportunity for God to work within us; in today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef explains how loneliness can be turned into something positive.
If you would like more insight into today’s devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series The Paradox of Loneliness: LISTEN NOW
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the daily devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] The Way.
[00:00:08] The Upside of Loneliness by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:13] Loneliness is a condition we have all experienced but do not welcome.
[00:00:18] However, loneliness can be a great opportunity for God to work within us, to comfort us,
[00:00:24] and to develop our relationship with Him.
[00:00:26] Prior to the modern era, loneliness was defined as being isolated or in a state of solitude.
[00:00:32] Today a person can be surrounded by other people yet feel horribly alone.
[00:00:37] In our contemporary experience, loneliness can be described as an empty feeling accompanied
[00:00:43] by a longing to be completed, affirmed, or noticed.
[00:00:47] Scripture teaches us that loneliness is both positive and negative.
[00:00:52] The root cause of this condition is negative, but God's word reveals how it can be turned
[00:00:58] into something positive.
[00:01:00] In the beginning, man was in perfect communion with God.
[00:01:04] Adam was alone, but not lonely.
[00:01:07] When God created Eve, He had in mind the help and fellowship that she would be for Adam, but
[00:01:13] she was never meant to fulfill Him.
[00:01:15] God alone could do that.
[00:01:18] When Adam and Eve sinned, their relationship with God changed from one of supernatural intimacy
[00:01:24] to one of fear and shame.
[00:01:27] When this happened, God pursued them with love and restored them to relationship with Him.
[00:01:33] Today we continue to suffer the consequences of their choice, but the good news is that when
[00:01:39] we sin, God can turn our running from Him into an opportunity to run to Him for forgiveness
[00:01:46] and renewed intimacy.
[00:01:48] God wants us to turn our lonely times, when we feel hurt, rejected, or separated from friends
[00:01:55] and community, into times of aloneness with Him.
[00:01:59] As we turn to Him, He will be that friend who sticks closer than a brother, who can fulfill
[00:02:07] us like no one else.
[00:02:10] Let's pray together.
[00:02:11] God, when we feel lonely, help us to remember that You are always with us and that in Your
[00:02:18] presence we can experience peace, joy, and fulfillment.
[00:02:22] We pray this in the name of Jesus.
[00:02:25] Amen.
[00:02:26] Amen.
[00:02:27] If you enjoy listening to the My Devotional Podcast, would you consider partnering with
[00:02:32] us to proclaim the hope of Christ to a world in darkness by giving a year-end gift?
[00:02:38] This month your gift will have double the impact through our December Gift Challenge.
[00:02:43] Leading the way is reaching the lost and equipping the saints 24-7 through television, radio, online
[00:02:50] outreaches, discipleship resources, evangelistic events, field teams, and more.
[00:02:56] Dr. Youssef's biblically-based messages are broadcast in 28 languages to audiences across
[00:03:02] six continents, passionately proclaiming uncompromising truth worldwide.
[00:03:09] Join us by giving a gift at ltw.org today.
[00:03:15] My Devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Youssef.
[00:03:19] To learn more, visit ltw.org today.