Seven Degrees of Me: alone

Showing posts with label alone. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Peace of God

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Child reading his bible in bed. The #Bible is our textbook for this difficult journey. There I find #answers on how to #cope with whatever life throws at me.

Every so often I like to ask, "what's your go-to Bible verse or passage in times of dispair?" One of mine is Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This life is trying. Accepting Christ as our Savior doesn't mean that we'll have an easy time of it, but it does mean that we'll carry with us the peace of the Holy Spirit and the hope of eternal life with our Father. He created us for the express purpose of bringing glory to Himself and to share His love with one another during our time on Earth. We're here to love and serve one another and to build relationships. He doesn't want us to walk this journey alone.

Reach out to others. Be there for each other. Love one another, as Christ loves us.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

When you ask but do not receive

Girl walking down a road #alone with large stuffed animal. #needshelp Image by lisa runnels from Pixabay

I was reminded yesterday by a friend that not everyone is willing to help others. She wrote:

In the past, I was always made to feel guilty asking for help. I go to the Lord with EVERYTHING but with people? Anytime I tried, I was made to feel bad. So...kept it at the throne.
- Elizabeth B.

It honestly didn't occur to me until after I posted that not everyone wants to help others. Elizabeth's post confirmed it.

- Unfortunately, those people are perfectly fine with living out their lives, wrapped up in just themselves. Of course, the day will come when they'll need help and at that point may find themselves up a creek without a paddle.

- Still, others are too busy to help (I shamefully find myself in that category a little too often).

- There are people who believe that we should each be self-sufficient and therefore won't help anyone out of principle, so to speak.

- There are those who expect something in return.

Yeah, the more I think about it, I can understand why some people don't ask for help. So, I guess we should pray for the unhelpful people, too. Pray that God softens their hearts and minds; that He gives them servants' hearts and show them that that's how He wants us to interact with each other, as loving, caring brothers and sisters.

I didn't use to have a servant's heart until a true servant of Christ set me straight. I'm so thankful to her. She changed how I thought about serving and it's made a huge impact on my walk with Christ. I hope you can take a couple of minutes to read that post: "Acquiring a servant's heart" where I talk about the experience.

Like Elizabeth wrote, she keeps "it at the throne." At least there, we can always find help and strength.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2 ESV

Please do ask for help when you need it. Ask God to send you fellow Christians who will lift you up in your needs. Ask Him to help you through the valleys.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Pray for widows & widowers

The number of people at our church who have lost loved ones this year is just overwhelming. I can't help but think and empathize with what they're going through right now, spending their first Christmas without a spouse, parent, sibling, friend.
Please remember them this holiday season. Even though we can't necessarily visit in person, there are so many ways in which we can reach out and let them know they are loved. Be creative if you can. If you can't, that's fine, too. A phone call, card, text, IM, email, would go a long way in making a difference this year.
Also, be in prayer for the countless families dealing with loved ones who are sick or hospitalized right now. And for those people who can't get together this year because of Covid.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3 ESV

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows* in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:27 ESV

She who is truly a widow* left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,

1 Timothy 5:5 ESV

*I would add, widowers as well

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Please join me this week in praying for families and for healing between family members. Pray that relationships will be mended this holiday season and that families will be united. Pray for comfort and peace for those families who have lost loved ones this year.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #relationship #alone #widow #love #widower #death

Sunday, March 15, 2020

The thorn

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV

Italians in lock-down sing to lift each other's spirits

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Seclusion

While we muddle through the next couple +/- of weeks, keep in mind those who live alone, especially if they're afraid to leave their houses right now. Call or stop by if they'll let you. Cabin fever can get the best of a person in normal circumstances, but with everything closing, some may feel trapped and secluded. Even just reaching out with a phone call may be helpful to someone who lives alone.
You may also know people who should stay home but refuse to. You could try to engage them in activities or outings where there'll be fewer people, or try visiting them in their home so they don't feel the need to go out.
Let's be in prayer for the safety and health of the entire world, and be diligent about caring for those around us.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV