Finding God in Our Feelings - Facing Loneliness

South Bay Community Church
Sermon Reflection
21 & 22 May 2022
Lead Pastor Tammy Long
Sermon Preamble
In this message in our series Finding God in Our Feelings, we are looking at the feeling of loneliness.  Even before the pandemic, loneliness had become a health crisis. In 2018, the U.K. elected the country's first Minister of Loneliness. The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy stated that the U.S. was experiencing an epidemic of loneliness in our social interactions, since "efficiency and convenient relationships" that are much less satisfying have edged out time -consuming real relationships. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2018 concluded that one in five Americans said they always or often feel lonely or socially isolated. This epidemic of loneliness impacts all ages. We may think about people over 60 and living alone; a Pew Research Study reported 43% of this population reported feeling lonely before COVID.  Another survey shows that those aged 18-22 had the highest loneliness scores. People are more connected through social media and computers, yet loneliness continues to rise. Among digitally connected teens and young adults, loneliness nearly doubled between 2012 and 2018 with the explosion in social media use. Loneliness impacts not only our feelings and emotions, but also our mental and physical health.  Loneliness has been found to increase the risk of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, heart disease, cancer, stroke, obesity, hypertension, dementia, and premature death from weakening our immune system. We can be impacted by the risk associated with loneliness even if we are not aware that our feeling is actual loneliness. Loneliness is not specific to age, gender, ethnicity, geography, or century; loneliness is all around us, and it is not new. It is not good for humanity to be alone. Responding to loneliness begins with recognizing the feelings of loneliness and responding to loneliness in us and around us by finding God in our feelings of loneliness.

Defining Loneliness
Mental health professionals define loneliness as the gap between the connectedness we desire and the connectedness we have.  Loneliness is different than social isolation, referring to the measure of one's social contacts. Loneliness is a subjective feeling. One can have many social contacts and still feel lonely. Someone else can be happy by themselves with very few social contacts. Loneliness is the gap between connectedness that we want, but don't experience. 
In the message last week, we discussed the six universal needs that every human desires: being heard, being affirmed, being blessed, being chosen, being included, and feeling safe. Each of these desires speak to a relational connection and our desire for intimacy and closeness. Such connections anchor and affirm our existence in the world and confirm that we matter.

The ache for connectedness
Psychologist Shira Nayman summed it up: "Loneliness is perhaps the greatest of human aches. It thwarts our fundamental urge for connection"  (Nayman, O Magazine). That fundamental urge for connection goes back to the beginning of time, when God made humanity in the image of God and declared it was not good for humanity to be alone (Genesis 1:27, 2:18). God exists in a Triune, connected community - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In that pattern, God has created us to live in connected community with God and with one another. Catholic Friar Ugo asserted that "to be human is to be lonely." Humans have an ache to connect to something beyond ourselves - to God, with God, and with one another. The ache and desire is built in as part of our human design. It is not a manufacturing defect. God created in us the capacity for loneliness, so we would have the inclination and desire to fill it by connection with God and with one another.
"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him" (Genesis 2:18). God's intention in the creation of Eve is much more than coupling for procreation. God initiated a Kingdom pattern of community, just like God is in the Triune community. We see the idea of connection between God and humanity throughout the Bible. "I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God" (Jerimiah 24:7). "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20).
Biblical terms, such as Body of Christ and Family of God,  paint a picture of God's Kingdom as intimate connection with God and one another. Even when Jesus responded to the question of the greatest commandment, God's intention for connection in the Kingdom is spelled out again "Love the lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 12:37-39). 
Note that when God made the statement that it is not good for humanity to be alone, it was a manifesto before the Fall. Up until that time, scripture tells us everything God made was good, but when God made man, God notes that it was NOT good for man to be alone. Humanity was meant to be connected in community. Loneliness was never God's plan.  God put in place a plan that we would never be lonely. So what do we make of the epidemic in loneliness. Why are we, even followers of Jesus, lonely?

Why we are lonely
Adam and Eve made their choice to deviate from God's best for them. The Fall thrust all of creation into a state of disconnection and disruption.  Everything was impacted including humanity's connection with God, our connection with one another, and even our connection with ourselves. We feed our own loneliness, and we may not realize that we are contributing to our own feelings of disconnection. 
There are any number of reasons why the gap of loneliness may happen.  Some are life transitions such as a move, retirement, or change in household. Some are the loss of a loved one. Some reasons are feeling left behind, left out, or passed over.  Some are from feeling different. Some are from conflicts and feeling betrayed or hurt.; we build a wall that keeps us in and keeps others out. Some are from a personality trait that can alienate. Some are from engaging in destructive behaviors. Some are from focusing on a career or other priorities that leave no time for relationships. Some are from not having a purpose. Some are from using distractions to numb loneliness; 78% of Americans say that when lonely, they distract themselves with TV, computers, or video games. 
When you consider your times of feeling lonely, do any of these match your experience? Some are out of your control, like death of a loved one. But some are in your control, and you may be contributing to your own loneliness.

Three Loneliness Lies
We may contribute to our own loneliness with false narratives we may be holding that keep us feeling lonely. 
LIE Number 1 - Loneliness is bad and should be avoided at all costs. Like every other emotion, the importance is what you do with the feeling. The capacity to be lonely was planted in us before sin entered the world.  Feelings of loneliness is telling us that there is a need to be filled.  The problem comes when we ignore the signal, or when we try to meet the need with things that will not satisfy.
LIE Number 2 - Something must be wrong with me.  Everyone is lonely from time to time; to be human is to have the capacity for loneliness.  Postings on social media cannot be relied upon and are focused on the good stuff without telling the whole story. For those who are single, do not believe the hype about marriage. Marriage as well as being single has its joys.  But being married or having a significant other will not automatically eradicate loneliness.  A 2017 study found that 60% of the people who reported being lonely were married. If you are feeling lonely,  you are not alone, and it does not mean something is wrong with you. 
LIE Number 3 - We should not have to be alone and lonely. This lie can feed anger and resentment toward God. But remember that God planted that capacity for loneliness for a reason.  When we buy into this lie we can alienate ourselves from God, try to escape it, fix it, or numb it. We then completely miss how God may want to meet us in our loneliness.

Finding God in our Loneliness - Connecting with God
How do we address the pain of feeling disconnected, separated, and isolated, and exchange that pain for something God can use and fill according to God's purpose and plan. First, we have to start by Connecting with God. In the Psalms, David's practice again and again is to: (a) Acknowledge the feeling, (b) Bring the real feelings to God, (c) Trust that God hears and will respond, (d) seek and embrace God's mercy, and (e) Accept God's invitation and draw near.  We see this as David addresses his own loneliness in Psalms 142.  David is being pursued by Saul who is jealous of David and trying to kill him. David is running for his life and hiding in a cave. 
"I look for someone to come and help me, but no one give me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me" (Psalms 142:4). David acknowledges  and brings to God the feeling of loneliness.
"Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, 'You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life" (Psalms 142:5). David draws closer to God. David says God is his place of refuge and all he really wants in life. In his time of loneliness and need, David declares God is all he wants and needs. God is the source of strength and life.  
"Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison so I can thank you" (Psalms 142:6 - 7a). Even before his ordeal is over, David is anticipating that God will answer his prayer.  David looks forward to the possibility of having a testimony of thanks. 
"The godly will crowd around me, for you are good to me' (Psalms 142:7b). David anticipates no longer being alone as the godly crowd around him. Outwardly, nothing has really changed; David is till in a cave, and Saul is still trying to kill him. David found God in his feelings of loneliness and his entire attitude is transformed. David is not alone, for he knows that God is with him. Ce Ce Winan sings "I don't have to wait until the battle is over."  I can shout now because God answers our prayers, and God does not leave us alone. 
Connecting with God means telling God exactly how we feel, and drawing close to God in whatever way you feel closer, such as spending time in nature, listening to worship music, reading a good book that feeds your soul, or practicing the presence of God with breath prayers throughout the day.  Reading God's Word and spending time in prayer is crucial. It reminds us that while we may feel lonely, we are never alone from God.  God wants to fill that hole with God. What may feel like loneliness may be in essence a longing for more of God.

Finding God in our Loneliness - Growing Together
God fills our deepest longing for connection, but God also intends for us to connect with others. You may have to take some initiative. There may be a friend you want to know better who is just as reticent as you. Ask God to direct you to someone who is also lonely. Plan an outing together or start a hobby together. If you are feeling lonely, take one step toward connection. Being lonely seems to drain energy, so sometimes in that loneliness it feels easier to watch TV. Push through the inertia to make a conscious connection. We will find that God is offering an invitation not only to connect with God, but also to connect with others in community as we grow together on the journey of life.
Admittedly, growing together takes courage, an investment of time, and some vulnerability, but the possible rewards are well worth the effort. Loneliness, on the other hand, offers nothing and costs much. The Us Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy believes the culture makes people lonely, and we need to restructure our lives around people, as opposed to lives being centered around work the way it is now.

Finding God in our Loneliness - Changing the World
Find a way to make a difference by touching someone else's life. Our mood, our feelings of worth, and our connectedness improve when we replace looking inward with looking outward. We find God in our loneliness as we align with what God is doing in the world and where he needs hands and feet to express his love to hurting and lonely people. Find places to serve, share out gifts, and contribute to real needs. This gives us a sense of purpose and self-worth, and it also reduces loneliness as we connect with people who share similar visions and passions.
A professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago shared this insight: "For years people thought the best thing you could do for a lonely person is to give them support.... Actually, we found that it's about receiving and also giving back. So the best thing you can do for someone who is lonely is not to give them help but ask them for help. It gives them a sense of worth and a chance to be altruistic." Sometimes in loneliness, the natural inclination is to pull back and see if anyone will reach out to us. But finding Jesus in our loneliness could be reaching out to someone else to serve, share a kind word, call , and simply extend God's love.

Life Application
For followers of Christ, our loneliness should look different. We serve a personal Savior who hears us, listens to our complaints, our frustrations, and knows our pain having died in our place. We serve a personal friend who reminds us that he has been lonely too, and impresses on us that Jesus will never leave us. We are never alone because we always have Jesus. We have a personal Lord who tells us that connecting with Jesus is all you need. Jesus wants to fill the deepest desires of your heart, guide you in growing together relationships that are fulfilling and nurturing, and together with Jesus, we will change the world with God's love as we serve others.
Loneliness may come for a time, but we can find God and loneliness will dissipate as we choose to Connect with God, Grow Together, and Change the World.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Sermon Preamble
In what ways, if any, have you experienced an epidemic of loneliness in your emotions and feelings?
What risks can there be to your emotional, mental, and physical health from loneliness, whether or not you are aware of it as loneliness? Why?
Defining Loneliness
What is the difference between the measure of loneliness and the measure of social interaction? Have you had any experience of many social interactions but still feelings of loneliness?
The ache for connectedness
What evidence do you see in scripture or your own experiences that humans are meant to be in community with God and with each other?
Since God put in place a plan that humanity would be in community with God and each other, not alone in loneliness, why is there an epidemic of loneliness in today's world?
Why we are lonely
Among the reasons for the gap resulting in loneliness, what reason resonates with you?
When you consider your times of feeling lonely, do any of these match your experience? 
LIE Number 1 - Loneliness is bad and should be avoided at all costs. 
When we have the feeling of loneliness, why must we not ignore the feeling?
LIE Number 2 - Something must be wrong with me.  
Are married people exempt from feelings of loneliness? Why?
 LIE Number 3 - We should not have to be alone and lonely. 
Why do you think God planted in us the capacity for loneliness?
Finding God in our Loneliness - Connecting with God
In connecting with God, how do we exchange the pain from loneliness for the connection in community with God?
Finding God in our Loneliness - Growing Together
Who in your life is growing with you? Who can you be your true authentic self with?
Finding God in our Loneliness - Changing the World
Why is it important to reach out to someone who is lonely for that lonely person to serve others?

No Comments


Recent

Archive

 2024

Categories

Tags

.gppd 1 John 4:16 1 Chronicles 16 1 Corinthians 12:20 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 15:58 1 Corinthians 6 1 John 1:9 1 John 4:19-21 1 John 4:8 1 John 5:11-13 1 John 5:14 1 Kings 10 1 Kings 4 1 Peter 2:4 1 Peter 2:9 1 Peter 2 1 Peter 5 1 Samuel 17:45 1 Samuel 17 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 1st Peter 4 2 Chronicles 7:14 2 Corinthians 10 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 2 Corinthians 1: 2 Corinthians 2 2 Corinthians 3:18 2 Kings 6:16-17 2 Peter 1 2 Peter 3 2 Samuel 6:11 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 3 2 truths and lie 2nd Peter 1 4th Commandment AARP AI Abba Abel Abraham Abram Act 18 Acts 12 Acts 15:1-15 Acts 15:19 Acts 16 Acts 18 Acts 1:8 Acts 1 Acts 2-21 Acts 2:1-12 Acts 2 Adam Advent Africa Amazing Grace Amos 4: Asian Aslan B.L.E.S. S. Babylonia Baccalaureate Back to the basics Barbara Taylor Barnabas Barna Bethlehem Beyonce Bible Interpretation Bible Biblical Hope Big Story Book of Law Buffalo CS Lewis Caleb Can Do's of Success Can Do\'s of Success Cana Celebration Christmas Christ Condemn Cultivate Sensitivity Culture Cush Cyrene Cyrus David Deep Depression Desantis Deuteronomy 11:2 Deuteronomy 33 Deuteronomy 4 Deuteronomy 6 Diverse Diversity Divide Divine Divisiveness Easter Ebed-melech Eden Educational Egypt El Roi Election Elizabeth Emmanuel Enoch Ephesians 1:11-14 Ephesians 1:4-5 Ephesians 1:9-11 Ephesians 2:21-22 Ephesians 2:8-10 Ephesians 3: 6 Ephesians 3:10 Ephesians 3:17-19 Ephesians 3:20 Ephesians 3 Ephesians 4: 5-6 Ephesians 4:5-6 Ephesians 4 Ephesians 6: 10-17 Ephesians 6:10-18 Ephesians Esau Ethiopia Ethnic Eunuch Eve Exodus 12 Exodus 17:6-7 Exodus 19:10 Exodus 20 Exodus 4 Ezekiel 3 Ezra Family love Fannie Lou Hammer Farmer Fathers Day Father Fear Dance Feast of Trumpets Festival of Booths Festival of Trumpets Finding God First Nations Version First Nations Flock Frances Schaeffer Gabriel Galatians 3:28 Galatians 6:1-2 Galatians 6:12 Galatians 6 Gary Thomas Gen Z Genesis 14:13 Genesis 16:13 Genesis 18 Genesis 1: 26-31 Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:27-28 Genesis 1:2 Genesis 1 Genesis 21 Genesis 22:14 Genesis 2 Genesis 32 Genesis 33 Genesis 37-50 Genesis 3 Genesis 5 Gentile God always with me God cares God has a plan for me God in control God knows me God loves me God respond God sees God will God's Name God's Plan God's Powerower God's Story God's behavior not expected God's character God's footprints God's glory God's goodness God's hand of blessing God's help God's love God's power God's presence God's sovereign God's throne God's timing God's unfolding story God's wisdom God\'s Name God\'s Plan God\'s Powerower God\'s Story God\'s behavior not expected God\'s character God\'s footprints God\'s glory God\'s goodness God\'s hand of blessing God\'s help God\'s love God\'s power God\'s presence God\'s sovereign God\'s throne God\'s timing God\'s unfolding story God\'s wisdom God\\\'s Plan God\\\'s Powerower God\\\'s Story God\\\'s footprints God\\\'s goodness God\\\'s help God\\\'s power God\\\'s presence God\\\'s timing God\\\'s unfolding story God\\\'s wisdom God\\\\\\\'s Powerower God\\\\\\\'s Story God\\\\\\\'s power God\\\\\\\'s presence God\\\\\\\'s wisdom God Goliath Good deeds Gospel Grandchildren Grandfather Grandmother Grandparents Day Grandparents HBCU Habakkuk Hagar Halle Berry Harris Heavenly Mother Hebrews 10 Hebrews 11 Hebrews 13:15 Hebrews 13 Hebrews 3:15 Hebrews 3:7 Hebrews 4 Henri Nouwen Holy Place Holy Spirit Hosanna How graeat thou art Hubris Hype Image of God Immanuel Intergenerational Isaac Isaiah 25:6 Isaiah 35 Isaiah 41 Isaiah 42:6-7 Isaiah 43:1 Isaiah 45 Isaiah 53 Isaiah 58:6-10 Isaiah 58:9-12 Isaiah 61 Isaiah 65:24 Isaiah 7:10-14 Isaiah 9:6-7 Isaish 52 Ishmael Israel Jacob James 1 James 4: 1-3 James 4 James 5:7 James January 6 Jefferson Jehovah Rapha Jeremiah 22:3 Jeremiah 29:11-13 Jeremiah 29:11 Jeremiah 31:33 Jeremiah 38 Jeremiah 39 Jeremiah 9: 23-24 Jeremiah Jerimiah 29 Jesus and You Jesus at center Jesus sees Jesus with us Jesus Jews Jew Job 1:1-3 Job 37:1-14 Job 40 - 41 Job 42: 1-3 Job 42:2 Job 42 Job Joel 2 John 10:6-10 John 11:1-16 John 11:25 John 11:4-5 John 12:26 John 13 John 14:6 John 14 John 15:16 John 15:4 John 16 John 17 John 18:1-11 John 1:1-18 John 1:29 John 1 John 2 John 3: 16 John 3:1-21 John 3:11-12 John 3:16 John 4:23-24 John 4 John 5:1-9 John 6:11 John 6:35-36 John 6:51 John 6:8-9 John 6:9 John 6 John 8:11 John 9:35-41 John 9:39-41 John Newton John the Baptist Joni Erickson Tada Joseph Judas Jude Judges 16 Jui Jitsu Juneteenth Karate King Herod King of Kings Kingdom come Kingdom of God Kingdom of Heaven Kingdom King Kobe Bryant Kush LGBTQ LGBTQ Laban Lacrae Laguna Woods Lamentations Lazarus Leviticus 16:10 Leviticus 18 Leviticus 19 Leviticus 20 Lewis Libya Lift Every Voice and Sing Light Living in Power Logos Lord's Prayer Lord\'s Prayer Lord\\\'s Prayer Lordship Love agent Love in action Luke 11 Luke 12 Luke 14: 12-24 Luke 14:18-19 Luke 14 Luke 15 Luke 1 Luke 22:14-20 Luke 22:32 Luke 23 Luke 2 Luke 4:18 Luke 4:40 Luke 5 Luke 7:18-35 Luke 9 MAGA Magdalene Magnificat Malachi 4 Mandela Mark 11 Mark 13:7 Mark 14:28 Mark 14 Mark 15:13 Mark 15 Mark 2 Mark 4 Mark 6:1-6 Mark 7 Martha Mary Magdalene Mary Massah Matthew 11 Matthew 14:22-33 Matthew 14 Matthew 15:14 Matthew 15:7-9 Matthew 16:16 Matthew 17 Matthew 18:21-22 Matthew 19 Matthew 20 Matthew 22: 36-39 Matthew 24:6 Matthew 25:34-40 Matthew 25:39-40 Matthew 26:27-28 Matthew 27 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28 Matthew 4: 17 Matthew 4:10 Matthew 4 Matthew 5: 13-16 Matthew 5:21-22 Matthew 5:43-38 Matthew 5 Matthew 6:10 Matthew 6:33 Matthew 6 Matthew Maxwell Meal With a Purpose Mental Health Mephibosheth Meribah Messiah suffering Messianic miracles Micah Middle East Milestones Mother Teresa NASA Nationalism Naturalist Need Nehemiah 1 Nehemiah 2 Nehemiah 3 Nehemiah 4 Nehemiah 6:15-16 Nehemiah 8 Nehemiah New Age New Life Covenant Church New Year New covenant Next Chapter Nicodemus Nubia Original Our Father Passover Pathway of Wonder Paul and Silas Paul Pentecost Peter Philippians 1:6 Philippians 4 Philistine champion Phut Precision Priscilla Pro-life Promisd Land Promise from sufferings Proverbs 16:9 Proverbs 18:10 Proverbs 20:30 Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 3:9 Psalm 103 Psalm 116 Psalm 118:25-26 Psalm 119 Psalm 139:1-18 Psalm 149:3 Psalm 16:11 Psalm 19: Psalm 23:1 Psalm 23 Psalm 27 Psalm 28:1 Psalm 33:12 Psalm 33:5 Psalm 34 Psalm 39:7 Psalm 42:5 Psalm 78 Psalm 84:11 Psalm 89:14 Psalm 92 Psalms 16:11 Psalms 16 Psalms 24:1 Psalms 42 Psalms 5:11 Psalms Psaml 100:2 Psaml 150:3-5 Queen of Sheba Race Rahab Reimagined Reject Jesus in hometown Revelation 19:9 Revelation 3 Revelation 7:9-10 Rise and Rebuild Rise Roe Wade Roman Centurion Romans 10 Romans 12:21 Romans 12:2 Romans 12 Romans 16: Romans 16 Romans 5:8 Romans 6:3-5 Romans 8:18-25 Romans 8:23-25 Romans 8:26-27 Romans 8:28 Romans 8 Romans9 Roman Sabbath Sacred Pathways Samaritan Sanctify Sarah Sarai Satan Sensate Shabbat Shepherds Simon Social media Soloman Solomon Spiritual Renewal Spirit St. Ignatius Stand Stanford Start in Epistles Start in Gospels Stay Connected Steward Supreme Court Tax collectors Thank Offering Thank The Chosen Thurman Trump Tyre Nichols Unity Uvalde Walk in Obedience When God Disappoints Word of God Word Worldly Hope Your Divine Love Story Zechariah 4:1-6 Zechariah 9:9 Zechariah Zerubbabel abortion abundance abundunt abuse acceptance accept accountability partner accountability acknowledge action activate activist adopted adoration adultery affliction afirmative action afraid agenda alabaster alive all hands on deck all is well alone already not yet altar amen amnesia angel anger angry animals anniversary annoint anointing anoint anticipate anticipating anxiety appeal application apply argue armor of God armor ascetic ask people assemble assign attribute augustus authoritarian government awareness baby back to the future bad news banquet baptize basketball battle be still beggars belief beloved community belt of truth benefit biblical birthday birth blame God blessings blessing bless blind blood boast body broken body bold witness boldness bold bondage book born again bread breastplate of righteousness breath broken brother build community build relationships calling call cancer caregiver care caring carol celebrate center challenges challenge character cherish child birth childlike faith childlike children child choice choose chosen people chosen church trouble church cicumcise cistern close to God close cloud collective action comfort zones comforting comfort coming Kingdom of God commitment common communicate communion community support community compassion fatigue compassion competent conception concern confess confidant confidence confident conflict confuse connection connect consecrate consequence consistent contemplation contemplative prayer contemplative context of verse conversation convict correction correct cost courage covenant coworkers create human created creation crippled crisis cross identity barriers crossroads cross crucify cry cultural pride culture barriers cup curiosity curious custom daily dance dancing darkness dark day of Jesus Christ day ddarkness deafness deaf death debate debt deconstruction deepen deism deist delay deliver us democracy demon denominations dependent describe desensitization desire desperate devil die differences difficult dignity direct disciples disciple disconnect discontent disease distract distress disunity diverse voices do for others do justice door doubt dream each other eat elder elevate embody embrace distraction embrace joy embrace emotion need emotions empathy encourage enemy enjoy present enthusiast environment essentials esteem eternal life eternal ethic ethnocentrism evaluate everyone evil exercise exile expect expression external extraordinary life face of God factions faithfull faithful faith fall short family famine fasting fast fatigue fault favor fawn fear feast feelings feel fellowship fervor fight finance financial need first fitness flight flocks focus follower forewarn forgiveness forgive fornicate fortress free gift free will freeze friends friend fruitful fruit fulfillment full life fullness future hope future gate generation generosity generous gentle parenting gentle genuine giant gifts gift give glory godliness good news good works good grace graduate grateful great commandment great commission greater gift greed grief grieve groan grumbling guarantee guilt hallowed hand hard heart harmony hate healing community healing prayer healing health need health heal heart helmet of salvation help heterosexual hidden figure hidden hide from God high priestly prayer history holy day holy nation holy space holy homeless homosexual honor one another honor hope hospitality hot topics human heart human humble humility hurricane hurting people hypocriite hypocrite iceberg idenity ill in heaven incense indignant inequality inheritance initiate injustice inner life inner peace inside intercede internalize Jesus internal interpret intervention interview intimacy with God intimate with God into arms inttellectual investment invite isolation jail jars journey joyous joy judgement justice just key kill knowing God know lamb. lament lame last days lead us learn legacy life in Kingdom of God life with power and purpose lifeline lifelong lifestyle lifetime life limiting belief listen living into prayer living sacrifice living loneliness lonely look lord lost love enemies love mercy love neighbors love neighbor love relationship of trust God love through difficulty love loving relationship loving low income luke 19 luke 24 manger marginalized marriage masterpiece master meek memory mercy messiah millenial mind miracle misconception miss the mark mission misunderstand reality misuse mockery model prayer monarch money moral excellence moral mother character mother motive mourn movement multiply music mute mystery myths name nard nation trouble nationalist natural nature near God new life nonessentials not fear not hate not shrink back notice nurture obedience obey observe offering oil older olive trees omnipotent omnipresent omniscient oneness one open opposition oppressed oppress ordinary life other overshadow overwhelmed pain palm panic parable parents participation partner passion for life passion path patient patriot peacemaker peace peculiar people persecution persevere personal invitation personal love from God perspective petitions physical abuse physical healing physical plans plant seed plan pleasing plural you politic poor power of God power of worship power slource power source power practical steps for maturing believers practical steps for unbelievers praise pray for lost prayer pray pre-existance pregnant preparation prepare presence present with us present preserve prevention preview priest prince principle priority prisoner prison pro-choice problem prodical promise salvation promise promotion proof prophecy prophet protection protect providence provide provision psychic numbing punish purpose pursue herarts sing quarrels quarrel questions question racism radiance reactions rebuild rebutting receipt receive reconcile reconciliation reconnect reconsruction redeem reflect regeneration reign reimagine rejection rejoice relationships relationship relation relative truth release remember rememer remnant remourse repay repent repetition reputation reread bible resist resolution resource respect response restoration restore rest resurrection reveal revelation revolution rich riddle ridicule righteousness righteous risk rooted root royal priest sacred sacrifice sad safety safe salt salvation same sex marriage sanctify save savior science and bible scribe scripture searcher self exam selfish selfless self send me senses sentiment separation from God serve with humility serve sexism sex share sharing Gospel shepherd staff shepherd shield of faith shoes of peace sick man at pool silence silent simple simplicity sing sins sin slave sleep sling social justice society solid gold lampstand solidarity solitude song son sorrow soul friend soul on fire soul sounds sovereign God sovereign speak spiritual blind spiritual discipline spiritual gifts spiritual journey spiritual leader spiritual practices spiritual rebirth spiritually grow spiritual stable stake standing stone storm story strategic strength stress struggle success sudden suffering suffer suicide summer sabbatical supernatual supernatural support surprise surrender to God dailyer surrender to God daily surrender survivor sword of the spirit take me talents tax collector technology temple temptation testimony tests test thank thick thieves and robbers think thorn thought throne timeless time timing together tomb town trade traditionalist tradition transform heart transformation transform transfpr transition trauma treasure trial tribalism tribulation troubled times trust God trust Jesus trust truth point to Gospel truth turn around ultrasound unbelief uncomfortable unconcerned unconditional love understand unexpected united unity with God universe unpleasable unreasonable unreliable urge use me validate values vegetarian verbal abuse vibes victim village violence vision visit prison voice vulnerabilities waiting walk with God walking on water wall want to be made well wants war wash water wedding weep where worship wholeness why wife willing heart winess wine wisdom witness love to world witness women wonder world trouble worldview world worry worship wound wrestle writers of Bible wrong time younger youth