Loneliness, Pressure, Belief and Peace
How is it that we can be surrounded by people and yet feel so lonely? And why is it that for many of us Christmastime only heightens that feeling of heaviness? Christmas has often been that for me and I wish to speak to that in this blog article. Let’s address the “elephant in the room” as it were. My goal here is not to bring more grief to you, but bring a sense of peace through reality. May I say here that reality is not a perfectly decorated tree, perfect gifts, perfect photographs or heaven knows, perfect people! We know that and yet we seem to strive for it every year. I am guilty. So let’s discuss what IS real. Yes, our reality does come from our Creator and I will always circle back to it in every article. It is the mission of every ministry, large or small.
I have not yet met a person (especially this year) who doesn’t feel some sense of loneliness. Why? People, friends and family are often all around us, but that doesn’t ease the burden. Yes, we need communion with one another, but I think trust is the core issue. There are very few people in whom we can completely trust; not because they set out to hurt us, but because others are grieving and hiding hurt themselves. Add to that the pressure (whether perceived or real) we feel from the expectations of others, especially this time of year. I just heard on a radio program that our communion comes first from engaging with Christ, through prayer and His Word, not others. In other words, lean into Him first and foremost. And do it a lot; constantly. Fill your time with thoughts and a heart for Him FIRST. Oh, how I’m guilty of not doing that either! But if we can understand that loneliness is not about being alone, it is about pulling away from the One who fills us. In essence, our belief is compromised.
My sweet sister, who went to be with the Lord in September, wrote a piece on belief and how it is an action word, not a feeling. It’s not passive at all. Anyone can say they believe in something but how it is manifested matters greatly. We take action. And yes, we can do that while being physically alone or when we feel the weight of loneliness. How do we do that? We give to God and others our time. I think it’s that simple. Just sending a text to someone telling them you’ve been thinking of them matters. Even reading the Word of God should not be burdensome. Yes, it is important to study and He will lead us in doing that, but every day, read a simple passage. Again, I fail miserably even this simple act. I think we all get caught up in the adage, “Go big or go home.” No, God just wants us to want and be with Him.
Finally, belief and giving lead to peace. Peace does NOT mean things are easy. On the contrary, it is sometimes just the opposite. Our Christmas cards wish us peace and joy. But what does THAT mean? I think it means that we are content with who and where we are right now and with others where they are right now. We certainly know this is not easy!! Christ-followers are commanded to “endure” and “take up their cross”. Those heavy words do not seem easy. Even more so, we know we must depend on our Creator and King because He can pull us through the most difficult of times. We have already endured much this past year, but what if it were to get worse? How do we handle that? The same way. We give our time to Him and others. This is peace. This is joy.
The Christmas story is about a baby born to a family who endured great suffering and yes, loneliness and pressure, but they knew the peace of giving to this child who would be King of Israel and to us all! May we find our own peace through that reality as well. Shalom and Merry Christmas!
Tonya Noren
December 25, 2020