Jesus Never Leaves You Alone

By |Published On: February 18, 2021|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|
A scene of autumn leaves fallen on the ground in a thickly wooded forest as the sun is coming through the trees.

What do you do, how do you respond when you’re feeling all alone?

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and it happens to all of us, doesn’t it? You know in your heart of hearts that, as a follower of Jesus, you are a part of the body of Christ. You know you were made to live in communion with God and one another. You know there are people around in whom you can invest time; people to whom you can show love. You know – or at least, at one time you knew – that God has given you a purpose for living. But right now you feel like you’re the loneliest person in the world. You could have gone through a recent divorce. Or your adult son, his wife and your favorite grandkid has moved to Idaho. In the economic downturn, you’ve got laid off from your job. Your church just went through a big split. Or death has taken a precious loved one from your side. The aches and pains of old age have made you feel isolated. In short, all of this, you’ve been left feeling all alone. It’s just part of what it means to live in a broken world, isn’t it? But when it happens to you, you just can’t seem to shake it off. Loneliness becomes this dark companion. And no one seems to understand. Worse yet, no one seems to know or even care.

In my wheelchair, especially as I’ve gotten older, I’ve struggled with loneliness. Now, of course, I know I’ve got friends who care. But when you are an aging quadriplegic, and night after night sleep eludes you; when you lie in the same position for hours wishing you could turn yourself to get comfortable – loneliness can creep in. So, let me tell you what I do when that happens. I have learned that when you feel the crunch of loneliness, you have to – that is, I simply must – remember the Gospel of Jesus. Because you and I have a Savior who understands loneliness on a level that we’ll never get. When he was facing death, Jesus said to his disciples in John 16, “Behold the hour is coming…when you will be scattered, each to [your] own home, and [now get this] and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone,” Jesus says, “for the Father is with me.” 

You see, our Savior’s closest friends left him totally alone. They abandoned him at his time of need. And if you’ve ever had that happen, Jesus understands. He’s been there. Yes, people and even circumstances will leave you hanging, but it is impossible for you to be completely alone. God will not have it. Jesus was left in the lurch so that you might never be. People turned their backs on him; but you’ll always have someone who cares. Jesus was by himself so that you will never have to go it solo. You got a Father in heaven who’s always with you. Always. And no matter what, he has gone through the valley of the shadow of a most horrendous death so that you might have life abundantly. Yes, even if you feel like you are alone. 

This is a powerful truth to hang on to. God says in the book of Hebrews he’ll never leave you or forsake you. So remind yourself of that today. No matter how many people have walked out on your life, Jesus is Emmanuel, God with you. You may need help remembering that today, and if so, I want to help. Reach out, would you?, and connect with me today at joniradio.org and ask about my booklet “No Longer Alone.” It’s yours for the asking at joniradio.org. And don’t forget, you always have a friend at Joni and Friends where we love sharing hope in your every hardship. God bless you today, and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends!

© Joni and Friends

No Longer Alone

Sorrow, loneliness and grief are a part of the human experience, now more than ever before. In the 14-page pamphlet “No Longer Alone,” Joni Eareckson Tada weaves personal stories with the truth of Scripture. If you are suffering the pain of isolation and long for intimate friendships, be encouraged by Joni’s practical help and hope that will point you to Jesus.

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