The other day, as my son, Jon, and I drove home from school, I could tell something earthly had happened. Earthly refers to those daily situations that occur as a result of living in a broken world with broken people. I could tell that some earthly event had broken Jon’s heart. Big tears welled up in his eyes, and he said, “You know, Mom, I just feel so lonely. I don’t have any friends.” As Jon sniffled, he looked away, and teardrops poured.
I hated hearing how lonely Jon feels so much of the time. As hard as Jon tries to make and keep friends, he will always struggle with relationships because part of Jon’s earthliness is having to live with disabilities.
Heartache, loss, sorrow, and loneliness are all part of our earthly lives. But Jon isn’t the only one with pain. I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities, physical and emotional pain, and I struggle to trust that Christ will provide for and protect me.
I’m sure you have struggles too. Thankfully, God’s Word reminds us of His faithfulness.
Promises from Scripture
Here are five passages of Scripture that can help us become more like Jon—more open, truthful, and courageous about our need for loving, human connection. Scripture promises all kinds of heavenly delights when we pull together to encourage one another.
- Unity and Peace: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2–4 NIV).
- Comfort: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4 NIV).
- Acceptance: “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view . . . if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:16–17 NIV).
- Inspiration: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).
- Joy, compassion, humility: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose . . . but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:1–3 NIV).
We can experience freedom in wise transparency and comfort in learning to love others as Christ loves us! I would love to hear some of your earthly stories.