Often, I have the overwhelming feeling of loneliness.  If feel it, I decide to get in my car and drive far away so no one will notice or care that I’m gone.  I felt lonely when I was living alone, and while living with a house full of people.  I feel lonely when in and out of worship and fellowship with other believers.   There are many instances in scripture where God assures that He will not leave His children.

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave or forsake you. (Joshua 1:5 ESV)

…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age. (Matthew 28:20)

Keep your lives fee from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

The last verse is my favorite verse. Lately, I’ve had to repeat it often to remind myself that God is always with me.  To me, God is everything.  So, why do I long for more?  I start to ask, “What does God want me to do with this free time?”  “What am I doing that is keeping me from feeling God’s presence in my life?” The answer is that I focusing too much on myself and not enough on Him.  I’m not making the appropriate amount of time for Him.  So He has made it for me.    I have to get back to worshipping and fellowshipping and reading the word on a daily basis.  Turn the focus from myself onto others; give a call to an old friend or seek out volunteer opportunities in my community.  Do what I love; write more and share it with others. There’s a weekly writing workshop being held at my neighborhood library that I’ve always wanted to attend. There are so many opportunities around for me to feel the presence of God through Him directly and through the wonderful people and things that He’s filled the earth with.  If I am in relationship with our awesome God, there is no need to ever allow the spirit of loneliness to overtake me!

Well, EmpowerMoments readers, there is no end to my story yet, but there is hope. Stay tuned to find out how everything turns out.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for always being by my side and giving me strength to get through each day.  I praise You for vowing to never leave me! Thank You for bringing me to a place where I realize I need You more than ever and at the same time relationships with others are just as important.  The Word gives me hope for the future and my well being. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to faithfully press forward through the lonely times.  Don’t be afraid to let the tears fall as you cry out to the Lord as David when he had to flee his city. Spend time with someone or participate in an activity that brings you joy.  Jesus spent time alone to be with the Father, but He also made time for His disciples and for His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  Please know that no matter what the situation is you are never alone!

P.S. I was writing this as the news unfolded on the devastating tornado in Oklahoma.  Perhaps, I will never know true loneliness and despair until my life is uprooted from the daily hum drum that I easily become bored or discontented with.  But why wait until something ‘bad’ happens? As stated earlier, God want us to be content with the plans He has for us.   While we hope for the best, things can certainly get worse.  I can’t imagine searching through rubble for a loved one, especially a child.  Events and tragedies go on around us every day that should humble us all. My heart and prayers goes out to those affected by the tornadoes this past week.

How do you overcome your feeling of loneliness? Share your tactics below.

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Single in the City: Ultimate Relationship

___________________________________________________________________

Saneatra Polk resides on the south side of Chicago and works as a quality technician for a food manufacturer.  She attends The Moody Church and her favorite Bible verse is: “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6 NIV)

I’m currently 37,000 feet in the air somewhere between Dallas and Chicago. I was supposed to go from Dallas to Houston to Chicago but Southwest had other plans for me. As they announced the cancellation of my flight I calmly gathered my things and shuffled to the front desk were I was informed I would now be going from Dallas to Kansas to Chicago and arriving 20 minutes later than my original flight.

*Side note* Isn’t it funny how a route you expect to be quicker tends to be a little longer? Going south to Houston then north to Chicago ended up being quicker than going North to Kansas then further North to Chicago, but I digress. 

For me, take off is the worst! During that time, I hear and feel every rattle, bump and movement. As we cruised to 10,000 feet and continued to slowly elevate I thought about life.

Take Off: As a Passenger-Take off is different for everyone. Some eagerly wait on the edge of their seats’ excited for the arrival to the promised destination, while others find themselves fearful due to anxiety or previous bad flights.

The Elevation: As the Co-Pilot- You reached 10,000 feet pretty quickly and as a Co-Pilot you may think it is okay to stay at this altitude. But, it’s not! Your pilot is pulling you higher. I’m sure it is scary moving through the clouds blind but trust your Pilot, your plane is built to soar higher than where you are now. Allow the Air Traffic Controller to guide you because you don’t want to collide into another plane hindering you and them from your destinations.

Cruise Control: As a Flight Attendant- This is the easy part of the ride. You are cruising along but don’t get to comfortable just because the fasten seat belt sign is off. How are you using your time? Are you working? Better preparing yourself? Serving others? Whatever you do don’t waste your time kicking back getting too distracted on electronics or starring out the window admiring all the little people you passed.

Landing: The Pilot- It’s now time for you to exit this season. How have you prepared yourself? You control this thing and you’ve been granted permission to land. Mouths are shut and eyes are on you. Will it be a bumpy landing or a smooth transition? What are the conditions like outside and how can you adjust to still make it out unharmed? Don’t get too anxious, coming down too quickly and missing your mark. Be patient, if you must circle around while others land, trust that you’ll be up next, soon.

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:

A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.

But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I’ve had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he’s left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he’s coming or going. I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 The Message Bible)

Dear Daddy,

Grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; courage to change the things we can and wisdom to know the difference. Allow us to find joy and peace in every season of our lives and be anxious for nothing; not allowing tomorrow’s worries to live in today. We ask for our wings to fly free of things pinning us to the ground and as we sour closer to You to be made more in Your likeness. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to take flight boldly and live free. Take off can be a little shaky but if you close your eyes and put your faith in your Pilot you will find peace. Elevation can be tough because you don’t know where you are going but just listen to the voice in your head guiding you. Make sure you don’t get too comfortable while cruising, you never know when it’ll be time to land. And landing is a skill to be mastered. Be graceful. Read conditions. There are pros and cons to every season but live for the pros and feel free to move about the cabin. 

___________________________________________________________________

Ms. Dené B. is a student of life who enjoys human studies and social media. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago where the motto is “Preparing People to Lead Extraordinary Lives,” She took her education and school spirit to heart and now is a young adult striving to live an extraordinary life while helping others achieve the same. With a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations and minors in Sociology and Visual Communication, Dené’s worked at a top PR firm but her greatest accomplishments resides in volunteer work with Autism Speaks and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Currently, she finds herself pursuing a vision God placed in her of starting her own business. One of her go to scriptures is, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV).

…is still disobedience.

As of late, my children have been extra mischievous and extremely disobedient. Like many parents going through similar ordeals, this has been a frustrating experience for me and I have been praying for the continued patience to deal with them.

There are some times when I give my girls instructions and they go completely unanswered. Then there are other times when I give them tasks to do but it takes what seems like an entire day to be completed. When it’s time to be reprimanded and disciplined, their defense is always, “But Mommy, we did what you told us to do.” As true as that statement may be, I have to remind them that delayed obedience is still disobedience.

Often when we discuss the escape of Lot’s family from Sodom prior to the city’s destruction, his wife’s disobedience is the primal focus. Naturally, we probably hone in on his wife because her decision resulted in her becoming a pile of salt. However, if we examine the scripture carefully, she was not the only one who disobeyed God’s instructions.

At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!”

When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” (Genesis 19:15-17 NLT)

The angels of the Lord sent word that it was time to evacuate the city immediately, but Lot hesitated. My imagination can fathom how Lot was literally frozen and unable to move. Why he was stuck remains unknown, but we can guess that he was probably apprehensive, nervous, confused and maybe even afraid to leave his familiar environment. Consider if someone brought word to you that you had to immediately evacuate the place where you and your family had been residing. Even if you knew the word was from God, would you readily move or be a bit stagnant?

Sometimes because my instructions are completed at my continued urging, I am a more lenient and forego the punishment measures. Similarly, and very fortunately for Lot, God was gracious enough to allow him to survive even though he didn’t obey immediately. On the flip side though, there are those moments when I am annoyed by their lack of motivation to listen and I must enforce and discipline. Who knows what would have happened if God chose to make an example out of Lot, just as He did out of his wife. That’s definitely a gamble that I don’t want to take with God!

I constantly remind my children that as a loving parent, I am not going to give them instructions that are detrimental to their life. If I ask them to do something, it’s either because it’s beneficial to them now, or in most cases, it’s something they need to learn for long haul. And believe or not, I learned that parenting tactic from my Daddy in heaven!

Dear Daddy,

Please forgive me for any time that I disobeyed what You instructed me to do. Whether, I blatantly disobeyed or simply did not move when You spoke, I dishonored You and I apologize. Lord, I ask for Your assistance to help me trust Your voice so that I am always moving in obedience, even when I’m afraid or it doesn’t make sense to me. My goal is to please You all the days of my life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, today I EMPOWER you to simply obey and obey immediately! If God has called you to do something, I EMPOWER to move on it. Stop procrastinating out of fear, anxiety or doubt. Instead, trust that if God has instructed you to do something, then it’s definitely for your good!

Read a related EmpowerMoment: He Is Worthy Of My Obedience

___________________________________________________________________

Mrs. Kristen Harris is a wife, mother, entrepreneur and dedicated servant. She is extremely passionate about women’s spiritual advancement, hence the founding of EmpowerMoments. As an avid reader, Kristen enjoys reading the Bible and other non-fiction pieces. Her driving inspiration is when God says to her: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) She currently resides outside of Chicago, Illinois with her wonderful husband and three lovely daughters where she is an active member of New Life Covenant Church.

Ladies, this flash from the past was originally posted on September 28, 2011. Enjoy! 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Talking to my grandmother is one of the highlights of my week. I know her as Madea and love her very dearly; after all, she raised me and shaped me into the person that many of you know today. She taught me how to cook, survive, be a lady and to guard my “reputation.” We had our rough patches when I went through my VERY rebellious stage (another blog) and there were times when I disappointed her with my actions. She loved me still.

Unfortunately, the lady that I know and the woman that her children and older people from around town know are NOT the same. You see, some time before I made my grand entrance into the world and when I was too young to remember, Sallie Pearl was a DRUNK and a chain SMOKER. She was known for her alcoholism and her addiction to nicotine. I even have an aunt who was born so small that she could fit in a cigar box, as a result of her addictions. Her six children lived with her and various relatives as they were growing up and the majority became teenage moms. Her husband, my grandfather, was the same. We never met because he died from cirrhosis of the liver as a result of his alcohol consumption. It’s hard for me to imagine all of this because this woman that I hear stories about is just not the woman I know.

“…Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”( Isaiah 1:18 NIV)

Her road to forgiveness with her children was not easy but I thank God for the twins, Grace and Mercy. My grandmother tells me that when she got saved she asked God to remove the taste of cigarettes and alcohol from her and just like that He did. No special pills, patches or miracle drugs – just a simple prayer. She has been sober and smoke free since 1986.

Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Though many love to bring up who she WAS, Madea’s past was the prologue to her future. After she stopped dating Jesus and began having a relationship with Him, she put down the bottle and picked up the Bible. He used her to take care of her grandchildren when our mother(s) became ill or were no longer able to. He used her to give us a strong foundation in Jesus and He has used her to touch other people’s lives through her acts of kindness and generosity.

Like my grandmother, many of us have pasts that are filled with things that are often times to shameful to talk about BUT God can and will use you too. As the saying goes, God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. You don’t have to believe me, in your quiet time check out His word:

• Jacob was a LIAR-  Genesis 27:19
• Rahab was a PROSTITUTE –  Joshua 2:1
• David had an AFFAIR and was a MURDERER 2 Samuel 11:3-27
• Jonah RAN from God (Read the entire book)
• Peter DENIED Christ Matthew 26: 69-70
• Lazarus was DEAD John 11

Dear Daddy, 

Thank You for showing us forgiveness and blessing us with grace and mercy. For the person reading this now, I ask God that You remove ANY doubt that they may have about their future. Let this EmpowerMoment reach them so that they will know that even they can be used for Your purpose. There is no sin too great that Your Love for us has not covered. Let us not run from Your calling but run to it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Today I EMPOWER you to walk boldly into your future. Despite what you may have done, who you may have been or what you didn’t do when you should have done it, know that your past was only a stepping stone to get you to the place where God has called you. Know that He predestined your past and your future. He has great expectations of you because He has already equipped you.

Have you ever had someone try to discredit your growth in Christ because of who you USED to be? Share your story.

___________________________________________________________________

Ms. Chancee` Lundy lives in Washington, DC and is an entrepreneur as she is the co-owner of Nspiregreen, LLC, an environmental consulting firm. She is also a dedicated daughter, sister, friend and community servant. She has used her gift of public speaking to lead workshops across the globe speaking to crowds as large as 10,000 people. Her guiding scriptures this week are Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”

…We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous.

But honestly, who are you to not be so? – Marianne Williamson

I love this quote from Marianne Williamson. It speaks to the heart of some things that I struggle with quite often. I’ll begin a project, or start an endeavor, only to step back and try and “see” it from other people’s eyes.

I pick whatever it is apart: It’s not as good as so-and-so’s… It doesn’t have as much as hers… I’m not as talented as he was… Didn’t someone already speak on this already?

It’s amazing how quickly I can discredit myself. I line up all my little reasons and stop whatever I was doing. Just like that. I’m done.

Yet God created me – He created you – for a reason. There’s something unique in our DNA that gives us abilities or qualities that no other person on this planet can do. We just have to believe in ourselves. We have to believe that God has placed that greatness in us for us to share with the world.

I was encouraging one of my friends one day to keep pressing towards a goal that he has. He’s been working at things for a while and was getting discouraged because he wasn’t seeing the results he wanted. I told him to keep going. He was born to succeed at his endeavor. He is talented beyond belief at what he does. I saw no reason for him to quit.

“You’ll never get a ‘yes’ if you quit asking,” I said. “The door won’t have an opportunity to open if you don’t knock.” It’s funny how you can speak life to someone else, but it’s hard to convince your own self to act right.

So, today, let’s have some faith in ourselves. Today, let’s throw the excuses, self-criticism, and complacency aside.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… (Genesis 1:26 KJV)

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14 KJV)

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace… (2 Timothy 1:9 KJV)

Who are we to discredit the Lord’s work? We were made in His image! We were called forth to fulfill His purpose! Who are we to question the gifts He’s placed on the inside of us?

You can be successful! You can fulfill your dream! Believe in yourself.

God already has.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for creating me in Your image! I praise Your name because You did a wonderful work when You made me. Help me to remember how special I am. When doubt and fear come, remind me that I am called to a holy calling and can achieve it by Your grace. Remind me that it’s not about what I can do, but it’s about what You can do through me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Today I EMPOWER you to embrace who you are in the Lord. You are strong, you are smart, and you are successful! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! You have no reason to give up, and you have every reason to go ahead and WIN!

Read a related EmpowerMoment: Start and Finish!

___________________________________________________________________

Tiara Wilkinson serves as the Youth Leader and on the Pastoral Care Team at Christ Worship Center in Riverdale, Illinois. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Christian Leadership at Liberty University. Tiara hosts a daily inspirational blog, “My Morning Ti”, which encourages Christians in their walk with the Lord. Her favorite passage of the Bible is Psalm 27 which reminds us that the Lord is our strength, so we have no reason to fear any thing.

 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 NIV

Minister: I can’t believe I am here! I must be passing through on my way to heaven, just as Jesus did, because I did everything right. I know I am HEAVEN BOUND!!! (Rocking my Jesus Freak t-shirt!!) I had a check off list each day; I fed the hungry, found the homeless a place to stay and rebuked people into repentance, so I’m sure I’m just visiting.

Satan: Well, well, well I am so glad to see you!

Minister:  Do you happen to know when I’m leaving?

Satan: (laughing) Leaving? You are in eternity! This is your final stop. You were so easy to convince to get here. I didn’t even have to try hard with “blatant” sins like killing, adultery, homosexuality, or drunkenness; you know the ones you used to condemn people about? Your heart is what got you here.

Minister: But what do you mean? I am a minister! I preach and share God’s Word! I put up with those homely kids, go to those nasty soup kitchens, and send in my money every month to the church.

Satan: Oh yes! You are right! We were such a team weren’t we? You played it well but you didn’t care about those people, and you forgot to share that “L” word.

Minister: What was that?

Satan: (laughing harder) Love! You belittled people in your heart and lied about who you were in your testimonies. You forgot that you were living a self-righteous sexually immoral life too. I loved it!!

Minister: But wait, I mean, I thought that I didn’t have to give my heart to Jesus, but that my title and deeds were enough. I mean, I knew who He was, but let’s be honest. Who really loves someone that you can’t really see?

Satan: Yeah, that’s the thing with ol’ dude. He isn’t really into deeds unless your heart is sound, but don’t worry, you are in the right place!

Minister: But wait, you don’t get it. I can’t stay here; I am too good for this. I did everything right!

Satan: Tisk, tisk, tisk! Now did you forgive your mother for abandoning you? Did you forgive your husband for cheating on you? Did you forgive your cousin that stole from you? Or did you just cut them off and allow the hate to rest in your heart?

Moments pass…

Minister: So what you are saying is my heart was corrupt and I was really living a lie. I must admit, you are right. I became a minister for prestige and fame. My house and car were not to glorify God, but to glorify me. God blessed me with clothes, but I didn’t clothe the naked. He blessed me with a car, but I didn’t help those in need. I thought I was all that because I had it all, but I didn’t forgive my enemies and I lied to my friends. So I guess it’s not deeds alone, but my soul’s motive to be after God.

Satan: Ha ha, I think that is the funniest thing. Once you all get here, you finally get it, but it’s too late. Oh well, maybe next….welp, there won’t be a next time. Let’s go, it’s too cool in here.

This EmpowerMoment caused me to re-evaluate my motives for things. Why am I working on a Doctorate? Is it to have Dr. in front of my name, or am I committed to making a difference within my profession to EMPOWER and educate those I come into contact with? Why do I like fine things? Is it to share and EMPOWER others to follow their dreams, or is it to have my friends oooh and aahhh over them? Why do I put scriptures on my Facebook status? Is this all there is to my walk with God, or is this the remnant of what I’ve walked all day?

Dear Daddy,

Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Especially those masked by my own self righteousness. Lord, I thank You for having mercy on me to expose this to me prior to my ending. As I learn to repent and bless Your name truthfully, please teach me how be blind to judgment, but wise when holding my friends accountable, quick to love and slow to criticize in my heart. Please help me to be cheerful in my giving and remove my grudging heart. Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness, continued mercy, and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to get right. Reassess your motive. If I can be transparent for a moment; it’s not fun always taking the high road. People will think you are a prune, lame, boring, and will ruin the funniest joke. But I desire for God to use me as an extension of Him, and to EMPOWER people through my words that come from my heart. If He can transform my heart, He can surely transform yours.

What heart issues are you going to commit to the Lord today?

___________________________________________________________________

As a professional, Mrs. Khalilah Burton is a university administrator. She is also currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership. Khalilah is passionate about her faith journey and uses this key scripture as her inspiration: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV) Khalilah also serves as a guest speaker and panelist for various events for women and Christian empowerment. She resides in Millbrook, Alabama with her wonderful husband Donald Burton, Jr. and their two daughters. They are actively connected to St. Luke Christian Church of Huntsville, AL and Vaughn Forest Church of Montgomery, AL. Currently they are moving to Orange Beach, AL and are excited about the Lord leading them to a new church home.