Last October, the world looked on—cheering and crying and laughing with relief and joy—as 33 Chilean miners were plucked one by one from their deep, cavernous prison. For more than 2 months, these men hung on to hope and life a half-mile below ground. The rescue teams preparing for the evacuation had numerous concerns: Would the escape pod function properly? Would the men experience hypertension as they rose to the surface? Would they develop blood clots? The primary concern, however, was panic attacks. “This is the first time in many weeks that the miners are going to be completely alone,” said Chile’s health minister.
We know what it feels like to be alone. Perhaps you’ve been abandoned by a parent or friend. You may feel lost. Even in a crowd, you feel isolated. God, however, invites us into relationship, into friendship. “Come to me,” God says (Isaiah 55:3). He invites us to come out of isolation and embrace relationship with Him.
When we come to God, we’re always welcomed with open arms. Unlike other relationships we’ve known, God’s love isn’t based upon us meeting some expectation or providing something for Him. He simply loves—completely, entirely, without hesitation. God makes a promise to His people, an “everlasting covenant . . . [of] unfailing love” (Isaiah 55:3).
This everlasting covenant finds its ultimate expression in Jesus, who came to us and brought God to us, along with His life and forgiveness. We didn’t reach up to Him. In Jesus, God reached down to us. We didn’t come near to Him. In Jesus, God came near to us.
“Seek the Lord while you can find Him,” Isaiah says. “Call on [God] now while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). The good news is that, in Jesus, “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 11:33-54
More:
Continue reading Isaiah 55. Note the paradox in verses 8-9. In what sense is God far from us even though He’s near?
Next:
Where do you experience isolation and loneliness? How does God’s invitation to experience His nearness comfort you?
daisymarygoldr on August 4, 2011 at 12:56 am
Sadly, people feel lonely despite having hundreds of friends on their social networking sites. We try to develop relationships with the opposite gender, the same gender and even with our pets but still feel lonely and depressed. God never intended for us to be lonely and isolated. In fact, the only thing He said was not good in all of His creation was for man to be alone.
God cares for the lonely and places them in families Ps 68:6. He created a wife for the first man, Adam, as the beginning of family and community. God also prepared a bride for Christ, the last Adam, and that bride is the church. When we accept Jesus Christ we are born again as God’s sons and daughters and are added to the church—which is His family.
And one of the blessings of being a part of God’s family is that— although sometimes we may feel lonely, Christians are never alone, because God is with us (John 16:32). No child of God who fellowships with God- the Father, His Son- Jesus Christ and other fellow believers—ever needs to be lonely again.
winn collier on August 4, 2011 at 8:50 am
I think that distinction is important, between feeling lonely and being alone or abandoned. We may feel alone because there is much loneliness in our world – and our intimacy with God, though beautiful, is not complete. Still, as you remind us, we are never truly on our own.
loananna on August 4, 2011 at 9:23 am
When I have the most trouble with life, stress is closing in on me is the time when i feel the most alone. Loneliness to each of us is something different. I have to stop and look up, yes I breakdown at times and cry out for help to my heavenly father. I have had to learn this because in our christian walk relying on our father is something learned that the spirit reveals as we mature in our love for the Lord. Being a christian doesn’t mean we will never have times of sorrow,stress, loneliness or that our father God will leave us during this time. It’s the time we NEED TO BE FULLY DEPENDENT ON HIM!
winn collier on August 4, 2011 at 12:58 pm
each of us bear our loneliness uniquely – so true, loananna. And God is near to each of us, uniquely.
alli on August 4, 2011 at 4:50 pm
who knew being lonely could cause panic attacks. i suppose the stress maybe. I usually feel alone, my family has always been very distant and i felt least alone amongst friends who also had the same issue. but in the internet you close off the computer and ppl feel no allegence to you, they go on with their lives but you feel used like i am good enough to chat with online but not good enough to be your friend. it is very false and true friendship requires commitment.
winn collier on August 5, 2011 at 8:57 am
you’re right, alli. Friendship (love) requires commitment, and sometimes I’m too selfish to make that commitment.
OnMyWayHome on August 4, 2011 at 9:40 pm
“The primary concern, however, was panic attacks.”
I know this all to well as I suffer from Panic Disorder what makes it worse there are times I don’t feel the Lords presence when I am having a panic attack. I know He is there and He will never leave me yet telling my mind that sometimes doesnt work. I need to believe in ‘Faith’ in His word and trust in Him.
Thank you Winn
winn collier on August 5, 2011 at 8:56 am
I’ve experienced mild versions of panic attacks, and I have a small sense of the torment they can cause. I pray God’s rest over your mind and heart.
grace1984 on August 8, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Hi, this is the very first time im login and leaving my comments, I hope some of can help me as this topic attract my attention
I have this same issue which im struggling as well panic attack, whenever i get panic I will started to shiver and i feel so cold
Preivously my heart used to get weak, I agree with all your comments to believe that God is near but then at time when im panic I cant feel God and i feel im all alone and doubt creep into my mind
Is anyone facing the same situation, please share with me how you have overcome this situation
Thanks