Dear Ones,
Today we are supposed to get lots of snow and last night cancelations began coming out, so Al won’t be going to the men’s group this morning and my two appointments were also cancelled. We are still able to have Bible Study since we don’t have to go out but simply downstairs. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Today our society might be described as disconnected for so many people are lonely and isolated and feel lost. The suicide rate is up, especially for men, and the counselor’s offices are filled with those who are suffering. Some have called this lack of connection a “loneliness epidemic” and many feel stuck and withering. It results in depression, anxiety, and stress.  It can happen gradually, and we lose our self-confidence and connection to life.

Some try to tough it out alone but soon feel very isolated. God has designed us to connect, to love and help one another and to be His Body joined with others. When someone is wounded, we can reach out and connect and show compassion and befriend them. We ourselves also need to let others in and not try to be the tough one, but open to them coming along side of us. It says in Gal. 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

We all go through suffering and God uses it to not only come along side of us but for us to know how to comfort others. When I began writing this, I noticed my phone dinged with a message and it’s from someone I dearly love who is calling from work so I knew it must be a need. I paused and read the message and began to pray, responded to the need, looked for a couple scriptures and also committed to pray throughout the day. So good the person wasn’t hindered from sharing but asked for help, and that’s what all of us can do rather than suffer alone.  I am so blessed by others who have come along side me with hugs, and e-mails and scriptures and prayers, and what a difference it makes. Suffering is inevitable for all of us, but when it is shared first with the Lord and then with others, we grow in our faith walk and are in a spiritual network.

Challenge for today: Don’t hide from your pain but bring it to the Lord and share with others when prompted.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy