BEING SICK IN A WELL WORLD

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”  (Isaiah 53:3, NIV)

Sometimes in this world, I feel very alone.  Because of my chronic illness (CFIDS), I often feel very different from the people around me.  Often I have ridden with my husband to the grocery store, unable to go in because of lack of energy, and envied the people I see walking in and out.  I have  questioned God, “Why can’t I be like those people who are  full of energy?  Why do I have to be so limited?” 

At such times, the Holy Spirit often brings to mind Jesus.  Jesus Christ must have lived a very lonely life when He came to earth.  Born to a lowly carpenter (Joseph) and his wife (Mary), He must have felt different from others at a young age.  Because of His God-Man nature, Jesus had no peers; no one on earth who understood what His life was really like.  Jesus was not outwardly attractive that we should desire Him (Isaiah 53:2); He was despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3), and He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3).  Those don’t sound like very happy descriptions of our Lord to me. 

Driven by loneliness and also to escape the intense crowds, Jesus went often to the mountains to pray and seek fellowship with His Heavenly Father.  During those prayer times, He was strengthened and comforted by God and able to continue His earthly mission.

I have learned to follow Jesus’ example and seek fellowship with my Heavenly Father during times of loneliness.  I try to perceive loneliness as a gift from God to me to spend time with Him, away from the many distractions of this world.  How wonderful that we have a Heavenly Father who is always accessible and ready to listen, and whose ear is constantly attentive to our cries (Ps. 34:15).

If you are lonely today, seek Jesus.  He understands your loneliness because He’s experienced it.  I can say from my own experience that Jesus is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).  What could be better time spent than getting to know Jesus and to have Him as our Savior and Friend?

Dear Jesus – Thank You for Your presence with us through the power of your Holy Spirit.