February 2nd

Read: Isaiah 26:1-3; Ephesians 6:12-17; Psalm 103:3; Joshua 1:9

LONELINESS AND THE DOUBLE CURE

Wilily they slip into the lonely mind:
thrusts of doubt quietly piercing confidence,
barriers of self pity changing the direction
of healthy thoughts
into dead-end lanes of discontent,
whispers of rebellion implying that none cares,
not even God.

Stealthily they rustle in the corridors of night;
small alarms of doubt disturbing sleep
and hanging curtains of distrust across
the morning light
so days stretch colorless ahead,
and blackness crowds the entrances to life,
preventing peace.

Furtively they press upon all sensitivities,
weights of stress and negative ideas
oppressing joys that should enlarge the hungry soul,
cumbering the vision of eternity,
flattening the pinnacles from which sunrise is viewed
to dust.

Quickly come the arms to loosen panic’s hold:
truth, the sword of light to quell the lie,
prayer, communication with the very heart of God,
the shield of faith to quench all fiery darts,
unquestioning obedience which pledges victory within His will.

Quietly they stand against the onslaughts on the mind:
memories of victories once gained,
assurances of Jesus’ presence there to fill the void,
promptings of the Spirit’s cheering voice,
knowledge of salvation, the bulwark to repel intruding
thoughts.

Sweetly come His blessings to the trusting heart,
peace to him whose mind is stayed on God,
hope to draw the darkening shades of doubt and fear away
that joy-light might in clarity shine in,
and love, the healing power that overwhelms
the lonely mind.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to practice Your presence in my life to quell any feelings of loneliness.