There is a fundamental difference between being alone and being "by yourself". A person can be in a room crowded with a hundred people and still feel alone whereas in another case, you may be the only person in sight for as far as the eye can see and not feel alone. Jesus often went off by himself to pray...to spend one-on-one time with his Father.

To be alone is to feel loneliness...to be alone is to be unaware of anyone who cares about your well being. ...to be alone is to believe that it is all up to you and that no one could ever understand or help you or support you. If there is even one person whom you know loves you and cares for you within reach (physical or phone/e-mail/chat etc) then it is hard to feel alone.

And yet sometimes we seem to seek loneliness when it is not required...when people do love us and care for us whom we shut-out or distance ourselves from.

The irrefutable reality is that God will always be there with us ... We have that as a promise! We need to call out to *our* Father when we feel alone. In Jesus we have someone who is closer than a brother to lend a hand when we do not think that we can do things on our own ... if we continually lean on our own strength, we will eventually fail. We need to trust that God knows us and cares for us and wants the best for us. We can't just "think it", we have to truly believe it in the core of our existence! We have to live our lives as if it were as true as the air we breath!...because it is true.

Jeremiah 29:10-12:

This is what the LORD says: ... For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will *call upon me* and come and pray to me, *and I will listen to you.

John 8:16: ... I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.

Proverbs 18:24: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks *closer than a brother.*

Deuteronomy 31:6:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; *he will never leave you nor forsake you*."

*Though I Feel Alone* Lyrics by Don Chaffer (Waterdeep) from "Enter the Worship Circle":

Though I feel alone
I am never alone
You are with me
Oh, my Lord
In the night-time while I'm on my bed
I will let every thought be of You
For you are good
You take all those who will come to You ...

http://www.entertheworshipcircle.com/Audio/ewc1audio/09AudioTrack.ram/

(Shawn Fennell is from Hamilton Ontario.)