Alone But Not Forgotten

sad-womanI say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” (psalm 42:9)

Stuck at home, stuck in bed and all alone, how is a person able to continue on with this isolation?  I have asked friends to visit and even shared my desperate need for companionship yet here I lie still, alone and wondering why.

Inwardly, I battle to stay positive, to understand that people are just busy.  “I’ve been thinking about you”, they say, “I am just swamped with so many things to do”.  They go on to explain in detail their numerous obligations.  “I understand”, I say as I politely hang up the phone.  The theme continues as I express my desire for company to a few more people.

Logically, I know they care, that I am blessed to have kindhearted and loving friends, but it is so hard to convince myself that I am not just forgotten.  Isolation can distort my perspective.  The enemy would have me believe that I am unimportant or not worth spending time with.  As the days, weeks and months go by, it sometimes seems that God, too, has forgotten me.

Do you ever feel this way?  Alone, isolated, forgotten?  There was a time in my life when I had perfect health with people surrounding me and, yet, still I felt this way.  What changed all that?  Jesus!  He entered my life and I knew I was not alone.  He remembered and cared for me.  I knew I could do all things with Him.

But this life of chronic pain and continued isolation was not what I had in mind.  I must remind myself that Jesus is the same God who rescued me from my sorrow many years ago.  Though I may not feel it, He is right by my side.

I will do as David did and say, “Why are you downcast O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my savior and my God.” (psalm 42:11)  Am I feeling lonely?  Yes.  But I am not forgotten?  Never!

~Laura Beth Young © 2005