I feel so alone...

Even though this is the most "connected" we have ever been as a society, it's also the most lonely.  It is all very surface-level connectedness and it means our souls are made for and crave deep connection with others.

The internet and social media in particular can be the worst.  You sign on thinking you just want to see what's going on and the next thing you know, you see that all of your friends got together without you.  Or that one couple went on a romantic getaway vacation, and your marriage sucks.  Or so and so just bought a new house and there's no way you could ever afford something like that, you must be doing something wrong in life.

I know that it might seem like everyone is healthy, happy, and has it all together, but I want to assure you, that you are not alone, even if it feels like you are.

There are so many people that are really struggling right now and when we are in this low-feeling mood, that's when it's easiest for us to slip into the false belief that no one cares or understands how we're feeling.

In 1 Peter 5:8-9 it says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

Do you know when a lion is looking to feed, it will purposely seek out an animal that is sick, young, hurt, or struggling.  Why?  Because those animals tend to be alone making it easy for the lion to attack them.

We might not have to be on the lookout for a lion as we go about our day, but we do need to be alert that when we are feeling the ache of aloneness we stop it in its tracks and seek others for support.  And before we allow our minds to trick us into thinking that we are burdening someone with our problems or that we have no one to reach out to, I want to give you a resource that is absolutely free and incredibly helpful.

There is an app called "White Flag" and it's designed so that when you are struggling, you tap the flag icon to raise your flag and you will be met with support immediately.  This is not to be used in place of therapy and you will not be met with a therapist or counselor, but you will be met with peers that have been or experienced what you are currently going through.  It is anonymous so you won't be recognized by others that have the app.  Download it now so that when you are struggling you have a place to go to be met with support.

Photo by Jasmin Ne on Unsplash