You’re Not Alone

Author:  Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

Each day you hear in the news and on social media that anxiety and fear are affecting more and more people in their day-to-day lives.  Many are struggling with phobias, and anxieties that they didn’t have before. Psalm 23 is one of many reminders in Holy Scripture that we are never alone. Verse one says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23 continues to give us hope…we are not alone.  It is worth posting the entire Psalm here…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.  He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

The Bible is God’s love letter to us.  The Good Shepherd is constantly reminding and encouraging us.

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in what the world is telling you and it’s even easier to forget your common sense. When you develop the bad habit of focusing on the electronics in your life, it’s easy to feel alone and abandoned. Social Media and the news want you to think there is no hope.   The world tempts us with empty promises and lies.  Perhaps it’s time to create some distance from what the world is saying and practice focusing on what God is saying. Focus on your relationship with God, your relationship with yourself and your relationships with other people.

Be kind to yourself, when you feel alone, take a walk outside, look at the nature around you; focus on the goodness of God’s Creation.  Hopefully, as the weather begins to cool you can take an early morning or early evening walk and breathe in fresh air.   As you walk, make a connection with the awe and wonder of the gifts God has given each of us.  As you walk or even as you sit, rekindle your relationship with God.  You are not alone!  Learn something about the creation around you.

It’s amazing how much money we spend on things, try spending money on experiences, like a class learning how to do something you’ve always wanted to try or learning about something you’ve always wanted to know.  Feeling lonely?  Try to boost your prayer time and rethink how you spend your spare time.  Carve out some time without any electronics, no video games, no social media, no Netflix, or TV, and take off your watch if it connects you to all these things. 

Do more things with people!  Engage in a small group, a book club, a bible study, sports, a club…find ways to be around others.  Avoid the self-check- out and say “hi” to the person scanning your purchase or if it can’t be avoided, say “hello” to the person at the self-check-out next to you.  While you are being kind to yourself, focus on the present moment, no need to worry about the past or the future, focus on right now.  When you have a conversation with someone, focus on what they are saying, look at their eyes when they speak.  If you feel alone, stressed, or anxious, remember God is with you.  He doesn’t change, He is always present, He doesn’t lie, you can trust Him.  James 1:17 says “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father who created all the lights in the heavens.  He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”

Still feeling anxious and afraid?  Try shifting your focus to others, how can you help someone else?  Is there a small act of kindness that you could do for someone else today?  Helping others is a way to feel connected and less alone.  Try thinking about what you can give rather than what you can get.  Pray for others and pay attention to the things that matter.  Pay attention to the things that make you feel like you belong, things that make you feel connected.

It is easy to get caught up in the world. Create goals for yourself.  Who is the person you would like to become?  Keep track of your vision and pray that the Lord will keep you on the right path.  Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” You are never alone; God is with you!

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

Deuteronomy 31:6   – Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you. 

Joshua 1:9 – I command you: be firm and steadfast!  Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.

Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.  He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.

James 1:17 – Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father who created all the lights in the heavens.  He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.