This month is often referred to as the “Month of Love”. Some of us may be blessed to enjoy close relationships with our spouses, children, siblings, parents, and friends, while others may find themselves struggling with feelings of loneliness and despair. Perhaps you experienced a recent divorce, the death of a loved one, the loss of a friendship, or your kids are all off making their own lives now. If loneliness is not dealt with in a healthy way, it can affect our physical, mental, and emotional health �" not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day.

Whatever your situation may be, today’s verse reminds us of an important truth. God IS Love. And even in the moments when we feel alone and lost, He is there. His faithfulness never ends, and His love for us is unconditional.

King David sometimes felt feelings of loneliness and felt abandoned, not only by others, but by God. Psalm 25:16-18 says, “Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble…” Regardless of how David was feeling, he never stopped expressing his feelings and sharing his heart with God. Giving everything over to God gave him the ability to move past his feelings, and we see his prayer shift in verses 20-21: “…for in you I take refuge. May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.” David learned to take refuge in, and seek comfort from God, despite everything.

Because we were made to be in relationship with God, there is a void within us that only He can fill. Let our loneliness be the catalyst that leads us to seek a deeper relationship with our Father. He is with you, always, and He loves you with an everlasting love.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for your great faithfulness to me. Despite my shortcomings, You are with me and I can trust that You listen when I cry out to You. Help me use any feelings of loneliness or despair as a motivation to grow my personal relationship with You. Thank you for Your everlasting love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1.    Jeremiah 31:3.

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.