Dear Hope Church Family,
Perhaps, like me, you followed with great interest last week’s declaration from the United States Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, that we are in the throes of an epidemic of loneliness. He wrote:
“Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health . . . Loneliness and isolation represent profound threats to our health and well-being.”
While entirely lamentable, urgent, and concerning as the epidemic of loneliness may be, is it any wonder that the undertow of our culture that insists upon self-determined, self-reliant, self-centered lives pulls us into such loneliness, isolation, and threat?
As those who claim to trust in the God who is always with us, what possible resources do we draw upon as we ourselves swim in these waters and what resources can we interject into the mix?
A promise
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
A thought
“The Lord, who can exempt us from troubles, can do much more; he can support and can comfort us under them.” – John Newton
A prayer
“O Lord, you who were alone in the wilderness, be with me in this time of aloneness; and when I feel tempted to believe that I have been abandoned by friends and forsaken by God, may I sense your sweet presence nourishing me and trust that you have fortified me by your Spirit to remain faithful to you this day. In your name, Amen.” – David Taylor
Grace and peace,
David