eleanor rigby
Fighting loneliness in God’s strength.
Loneliness among women is epidemic. We have many virtual friends online, but those who truly know us are few and far between.
Sadly, I have spoken with many women recently who
are living this painful reality. (I’ll change their names for
privacy.)
Mary mourns the loss of interaction with other couples
as a result of her husband’s dementia. Julia feels lost after
a divorce has left her too without the same connection to
married friends. Amanda struggles to engage with other
women as her demanding schedule
leaves little time for socializing.
And that’s just the start.
Jane secretly grieves a granddaughter’s poor choices and finds it hard to
relate to those families who seem to
have it all together. Karen, a ministry
leader, has difficulty finding friends
who understand the unique responsibility she carries day to day. Lucy, a
new believer, is eager to grow in her
faith but feels intimidated by the knowledge of those who
are more mature. A vibrant woman in her 50s, Janine
underwent surgery followed by a long recovery period,
experiencing loneliness as friends moved on with their
own lives.
Disconnected and struggling with life changes, these
women feel alone and forgotten.
Can you relate?
Satan loves to make us feel as though we are the only
ones to experience this sad reality and shames us into
silence. If he keeps us apart, he keeps us from life-giving
relationships with our sisters in Christ. Women live in
years of loneliness because they believe the lies of the
enemy.
Dear sister, though you feel lonely, you are not alone.
Our Heavenly Father is with you and sees your pain. He
has not forgotten you. The sovereign Lord knows your
heart, your hurts and your longings. He is with you in
the awkward moments and sees the tear stains on your
pillow. In Hebrews 13: 5 God says, “I will never leave you,
nor forsake you.” When you feel invisible, He sees you.
Turn to Him, trusting He is working out even this lonely
season for good.
Why not pray right now and ask God to show you a
godly woman in your life to approach in friendship? It’s
time to reach beyond our protective walls to build rela-
tionships where trust and vulnerability go hand in hand.
Relationships can be risky, but they are worth it! We must
be careful to not let bitterness isolate us. If you are feeling
lonely, reaching out to others is one of the surest cures. It
stops the pity party and cultivates compassion. Ask God
what He wants to teach you in this season of loneliness.
Perhaps it is His means of helping you better empathize
and comfort others as you too have been comforted.
We need each other.
God didn’t intend
for us to go
through life lacking
the support
of fellow sisters.
mICHeLLe ar THur loves to help women nurture
godly friendships and mentoring relationships through
In 2013 Women Alive celebrates 40 years of ministry to
Canadian women and teen girls. Celebrate with us
in Grande Prairie, Toronto and Waterloo this spring!
