Contentment Part Seventeen

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Seventeen
But there is more. Jesus was not alone because the Father was with Him – but there was a point where even the Father abandoned Him. That is why He cries on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 15:34) fulfilling the prophecy [...]

Contentment Part Sixteen

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Sixteen
What sustained Christ through this suffering
We have already seen that although Christ was left alone, the Father was with Him as He went to the cross. That would have been a comfort to Jesus; but there was still a driving passion that took Him through the cross. He [...]

Contentment Part Fifteen

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Fifteen
God using loneliness for His glory and our good is how we can ‘consider it pure joy’
Because God changes our trials into things that will be for good (like we see in examples above) this glorifies Him. He is shown to be the abundant supply for all of [...]

Contentment Part Fourteen

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Fourteen
Here are some of the ways God works loneliness for our good:
Firstly, God uses loneliness to remind us that we need Him. Matt 5:3 says that “God blesses those who realise their need for Him.” God is a giving God, and will supply all our needs. When we [...]

Contentment Part Thirteen

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Thirteen
Loneliness: God uses it
Loneliness is also a tool God often uses to remind us of our need for Him.
1 Peter 4:12, 13
“Dear friends – don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad [...]

Contentment Part Twelve

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Twelve
Listening to God – the key to thinking God
This is why a quiet time, prayer time, or whatever we may call it is so important. We will drown in the opinion and voice of the world, and in our own selfish thoughts, unless we keep an ear onto [...]

Contentment Part Eleven

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Eleven
There is life and peace for us if the Holy Spirit controls our mind. 1
But this may only seem half-encouraging, because we are still left open to wonder ‘Well, HOW can I ensure that the Holy Spirit then controls my mind?’
Vs 9, which is Paul addressing the [...]

Contentment Part Ten

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Ten
The cross – The battle is in our minds
For clinically or non-clinically depressed alike, the battle is in our minds. We’re focusing on loneliness here because that is what really affects the single. Although, I must also say, that lust and sin is also what can cause us [...]

Contentment Part Nine

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Nine
The spiritual and the body (including the emotions) are inextricably linked. When we are sick, it is difficult to get into God’s presence and to trust Christ (which is why, it is good to get others to pray for us). Clinical depression is a sickness of some sort, [...]

Contentment Part Eight

Chapter 4 :
Contentment
Fear of loneliness and suffering
Part Eight
Clinical depression
For those that suffer from clinical depression, this all may sound like an overly simple approach. I realise this. I’m not attempting to write a book on overcoming depression – especially this kind of depression. But let me speak first, as an encouragement, from experience. I know [...]