The Word of God says, “According as his (God’s) divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him (Jesus Christ) that hath called us to glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:3.

Life can be hard. However, it is not always that way. There are those who fall in love, have children, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and doing things together as a family. However, eventually troubles come. Remember Job! “I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.” Job 3:26.

Family problems arise. Our children rebel against the very principles we have taught them from God’s word. We lose our job. Money gets tight. The end results of these things even though we are among our friends and family, loneliness can seem like all there is.

When the drama of life becomes like this, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Everything one has worked to sustained them, their relationships, self-confidence, their work and even material possessions are powerless. Even the resources above may be the problem making it harder, not easier to find a way out.

We are longing for an instant fix, something that will take our problems away. However, we have learned there is no easy fix. What we need is solutions.

We must make ourselves a part of the solution. It is time for each to decide to confront their own problems in life. We understand that we are “flesh” and “spirit.”

Paul wrote, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:22-24.

This is our struggle! Why is it that we become depressed? Is it because of the things that are happening around us with our relationships, our children, our jobs and our health? Is it because we cannot get those things out of our minds — our thoughts?

Solomon said, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: eat and drink, said he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.” Proverbs 23:7. Solomon will go on to say in the book of Ecclesiastes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” 12:13.

Paul faced many things in his life and while in a jail cell he said, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Yes, we are what we think! Change the way of our thinking changes our life!

We need to remember even when we feel most alone that God is with us! “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart (brokenhearted); And saveth such as be of a contrite (the crushed in) spirit.” We sing the song “Count Your Many Blessings.”

Try this! Write down all your blessings in your life. For example: life itself, memories that make us happy, books we love to read, pets, friends and family. When we look at each of these, there is a measure of good. One of the most important things that we can do while depressed is to train ourselves to find the good in each day we live.

When we are lonely, we are not alone! All throughout our world people are wrestling with some of the same feelings and emotions that we are. How do they cope? Can you make a “throw blanket” for someone? I have one that someone sent to me when they heard that I had cancer.

Can you “draw” a picture to share with others? Can you “write” about the good times in your life? Can you watch a movie — not a sad one, but one that will make you laugh, belly laugh? Can you “visit” those who are sick, in nursing home and just someone you think needs a visit? God has always been concern about man being alone. Genesis 2:18.

The following quotation is from a Christian man who has been an invalid all his life, one of those lonely and obscure people who live in constant pain, who do not know what it means to be able to use their physical body in any way without pain and suffering: “Loneliness is not a thing of itself, not an evil sent to rob us of the joys of life. Loneliness, loss, pain, sorrow, these are disciplines, God’s gifts to drive us to his very heart, to increase our capacity for him, to sharpen our sensitivities and understanding, to temper our spiritual lives so that they may become channels of his mercy to others and so bear fruit for his kingdom. But these disciplines must be seized upon and used, not thwarted. They must not be seen as excuses for living in the shadow of half-lives, but as messengers, however painful, to bring our souls into vital contact with the living God, that our lives may be filled to overflowing with himself in ways that may, perhaps, be impossible to those who know less of life’s darkness.”