You Alone

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. Things might not be going well, relationships become strained, we fall short of expectations or fall prey to moral dilemmas. Whatever the cause, we seem to feel out of control and that can lead to depression … and loneliness. Our first conditioned response to pain of any kind is to draw back. That is how we keep from getting burned or experiencing more pain, either physically or emotionally. It’s probably a good initial response. However, we sometimes stay too long in our shell and isolation can tend to exacerbate the problem. Isolation leads to loneliness and loneliness can lead to hopelessness. When we begin to feel that no one cares or understands it warps our perspective and we often fail to even look for the help that may be available to us. What must be remembered, however, is that we are never truly alone. There is a God who loves us, who knows us by name and understands our deepest thoughts and fears. He proved His love by sacrificing His Son, Jesus, so that we might overcome all of our fears and failures. God’s love is unfailing and He is truly a friend to the broken hearted. So even when we feel completely alone, we can rest assured that God is still on our side and that He remains ever near at hand. He alone knows our heart of hearts and shall never forsake us, even our darkest hours. And what could be more comforting?

You Alone
You alone know my heart, oh Lord
You alone hear my cries
You alone see the tears I shed
And the emptiness in my eyes
You alone know the fear in me
Which consumes my waking hours
You alone feel my hopelessness
The way my joy withers and sours
You alone know my weariness
You alone know my pain
The defeats and the disappointments
That crush me time and again
You alone know the people, Lord
Whom I’ve failed and who failed me
You alone know the scars they’ve left
None but You alone see
You alone know the lonely days
And nights when my despair
Smothered the good things in my life
Until I was too weak to care
You alone know how lost I am
At work, and even at home
How even with friends and family
I feel as if I’m alone
You alone know my sorrow, Lord
And I know, at least, You alone care
Enough that no matter where I am
At least, You alone will be there
So I ask You, Lord, to shine Your light
Through the darkness my life has become
And melt the ice within my heart
Before it grows any more numb
You alone know each last detail
Of what I am going through
So I place my trust in You alone
For I am never alone with You
By Frank Carpenter ©