Feeling Lonesome? Find Ways to Be Comforted

FEELING LONESOME AS A WIDOW

My mother became a widow after almost 41 years of marriage. She must have been feeling lonesome a lot. She was a widow for 24 years. Though her family and friends were there for her, I know she missed my dad terribly. Widows and orphans are important to God.

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. 
God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Psalm 68:5-6

One way my mom found comfort was in her daily prayer time and reading of God’s word. Her church reached out, and she also involved herself in ministry using her many creative outlets. It gave her joy to make and give away crocheted and knitted items and quilts, both large and small. She loved making things for her children and grandchildren.

CARING FOR WIDOWS

I’m sure most of us know of one or more widows. Some of my dear friends are widows – one still had younger children at home when she lost her husband. Another childhood friend became a widow never thinking she would ever marry again, but after 12 years God provided another husband.

Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:27

Even though I’ve read the above scripture many times, I never thought much about what my responsibility might be to the widows I knew. I’ll be having breakfast with one of my widow friends next week. Maybe I can ask her if there is anything I could do to help bring her comfort.

FEELING LONESOME

Most of us have probably felt lonesome at one time or another. I know there were times in my life, but nothing specific comes to mind. When we read of King David in the Bible we see that he had pretty much anything he wanted. Yet, even he felt lonesome at times, judging by what we read in the Psalms. Here in Psalm 25, he speaks of being alone and afflicted.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am alone and afflicted.
The distresses of my heart increase; bring me out of my sufferings.
Consider my affliction and trouble, and forgive all my sins.

Psalm 25:16-18

This next verse is repeated two more times in Psalm 42 and 43.

Why, my soul, are you so dejected?
Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5

COMFORT IN PSALMS OF LAMENT

Though there are many psalms of lament in the scripture, there is usually a turnaround in the middle when David remembers God. He focuses on the goodness of God and how He has saved him countless times. He looks to God as his refuge and comfort and praises Him.

We, too, can look to God when we are lonely. He is ready to hear our cries and our longings, and He understands. As we tell him our sorrows we can remember how He’s been with us in the past, just like David did. Using a psalm as a guide, maybe we can write our own psalm of lament.

To give you an example, here is one I wrote a few years ago:

Burdens heavy on my heart
Pierce me like a poisoned dart
Lord be near me

My weeping eyes seek after you
I don’t know what to do
Lord be near me

Breaking through my anxious tears
Your light of peace calms my fears
Lord be near me

Full of hope my hands I raise
Voicing love and joyful praise
Lord be near me.

What about you? Do you have ways to find comfort when you are lonely or sorrowful? Have you ever tried writing a psalm of lament?

This is Day16 of #write28days. The word prompt is lonesome.

• 
• 
• 
•