|
FEELING
FORSAKEN?
Written in response to a fellow
sufferer—a lovely person who was feeling
depressed and isolated because her illness
was worse and because none of her friends
were calling her any more.
I have can SO identify with the feelings you
are sharing. I'm 43, when my pain symptoms
worsened 11 years ago, the same thing
happened to me and it has been hard to make
friends who will come and hang out with me.
Seems life is too hectic just to sit and
pass time. For those who are willing & able,
there are so many good and great things to
be involved.
I have noticed that the pressures of today's
American culture promote this business too.
Pressure to be involved in church projects,
studies, meetings. If you don't show up,
there can be a negative stigma. I remember
the pressure I felt from other believers to
be involved in so many good things, when I
was able.
Now that I can't go and do all these good
things, I hardly hear from anyone, other
than my Doctors offices calling to remind me
of appoints, otherwise calls are for my
husband or daughters.
There are a few friends I have, that I know
are real and genuine in their intentions
towards me, but they just really are
overwhelmed and busy by the burdens of their
lives as well. I might get an occasional
card...very occasional. But still I know
they care. Trying to focus on what God is
calling me to personally today, helps a lot.
But, that forsaken feeling, there is nothing
so lonely in all the world. One day, when
the impact of not one person understanding
me hit hard, in my tears and pain, I cried,
OH God, why have you just left me here to
bear this much pain all alone. I thought you
would not give me more than I could bear? I
thought you would not forsake me?"
"Forsake?" Suddenly, my mind flooded with
the thoughts of Jesus' own words, "my God my
God why have you forsaken me?" Oh, he did
feel this way! Didn't he? My Lord Jesus did
feel it! Alone and even abandoned by God on
the cross...and all the pain in the garden
the night before. I had been feeling as
though God had changed all the rules when it
came to dealing with me. Sometimes, I would
wonder if I really belonged to him because
it seemed my prayers were not answered.
"Oh God," I would pray, "YOU DO UNDERSTAND!
YOU DO know this feeling! You knew all
along, what pain sin would bring, and you
did what you could Lord to keep sin from
separating me and you for ever." YOU did
whatever it took, at the high cost of
Separation from you own holy, perfect Son.
Now it seemed that, Sharing in the Suffering
of Forsakenness was like a Gift! What? Who
am I Lord to even get to know one single
drop of the Forsakenness of your Son. Wow,
to truly fellowship in the Sufferings of
Christ, I am not worthy to share the Lord's
pain, Pain that bought with His own blood
redemption from hell for all Sin of men and
women. The thought was staggering and hard
to explain.
Forsakenness has made me care about others
who are lonely and so I am trying to use
this knowledge/pain/loneliness to be tender
hearted to those who suffer. After all, I
am, as a believer a part of the Body of
Christ, and now that I know pain, I can
touch people like Jesus did....With love,
caring and compassion.
I know that you must be full of this same
tender heartedness too.
I am praying for you in this painful
loneliness. If only our friends could see
that we don't want really anything from them
but to share some life with them. Ours feels
so empty without them in it. We really do
need each other, don't we? I keep telling
those who want to do something for me just
to call sometimes or just come and be with
me, they don't have to DO anything. I just
plain ole, MISS them! I try not to make them
feel guilty but tell them how much I value
just being with them.
I dream of just having a cup of coffee with
a friend, and maybe just dreaming with them.
This is what Rhonda prayed and I join her in
praying this for you.
Precious Jesus give comfort to _____. Let
her friends remember to call her. Give her
new friends in spite of her inability to do
a lot. _____ is your precious child and I
know you won't give her a stone when we are
asking for bread. Friends feed our lives
with Joy and happiness. Bring friends into
her life. I know Lord it will give You Glory
to answer our prayer made in Jesus' name.
Let________ see and know you are at work in
the world all around her and at work on her
behalf as well.
Thank you Father, thank you Lord Jesus.
In Jesus' name Amen.
Rhonda Souder
MORE
BY RHONDA:
|
GOD HAS GOOD
PLANS
FOR
YOUR
FUTURE
know what I'm doing.
I have it all planned
out--
plans to take care of you,
not abandon you,
plans to give you
the future you hope for.
"When you call on me,
when you come
and pray to me,
I'll
listen.
Jeremiah 29:11
(Message Bible) |
|
