Christian Loneliness預覽

Day 4: In Your Family

Even more impactful than being lonely at work is being lonely within your own family. At least with work there is potential to change jobs and perhaps find a better environment. But with family, we don’t often have that luxury. Family is also meant to be the people we feel the safest with and most comfortable. Unfortunately that is not the case a lot of times, especially if you are the only believer in your family.

The best example of this is Joseph. At only 17 years old Joseph was nearly killed and then sold into slavery by his brothers. They were jealous of him because he was his father’s favorite son. Joseph was a special young man who stayed devoted to God despite his circumstances just like Daniel did in yesterday’s devotional.

Before selling him, his brothers threw him into a cistern while they sat down to eat. Joseph pleaded with them for his life. They didn’t listen and sold him to Ishmaelite traders who passed by.

Joseph was well acquainted with loneliness. It all started with those lonely moments of betrayal in the cistern. He would not see his brothers or any of his family for another 20 years minimum. He spent 13 years of that as a slave or a prisoner in a foreign country. It must have been so hard for him to get adjusted. He had to learn new languages, eat food he wasn’t familiar with, and be ordered around like a slave instead of loved like a son. I encourage you to read his full life story for the amazing details.

On a mission trip to Cambodia a few years back, I remember meeting a young girl who was the only Christian in her family. Her parents were VERY upset that she gave her life to Jesus. They would frequently lock her in her room and not let her go to church. I remember thinking how amazing it was that she was willing to be ostracized from her family to be closer to God. There are many more people just like her all over the world.

Because Joseph was able to endure the hardship of loneliness, the nations of Israel, Egypt, and more were saved. Joseph was even able to forgive his brothers because he saw the purpose in his suffering. I wonder what God is working in that Cambodian girl’s loneliness? What might God work in yours?

Think about it and ask God what He’s up to.