OUT OF TOUCH
20th Jan 2016
Isolation and loneliness looms large in our communities, families and even the family of God. I have recently become aware of a number of folk who have become detached and consequently have felt neglected and forgotten.
What then is the answer? The principle of scripture is, “Give and it will be given unto you.” The antidote to rejection is to reach out to someone else, give to them, listen to their needs and look for ways to bless them. Proverbs 11:25 says, “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Recently we were thinking about some friends with whom we had lost touch, it was more than a year since there had been any contact. I found myself thinking, “Why haven’t we heard from them, have they gone off us. Don’t they want our friendship any longer?” It’s amazing how the enemy can sow lies into our minds. When their names came up once again in conversation, Joyce said, “Why don’t you phone them, now?” I did, they were thrilled, within a couple of days we were in their home with a cup of tea in hand, catching up on all the news and joyfully reconnecting.
It takes effort and courage to keep friendships alive. Sometimes it may just need a simple act of kindness, a phone call, a knock on someone’s door to restore and reactivate relationships that, having taken years to establish, can be smashed in a moment!
Paul says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other...” Self pity drains strength and feeds resentment. Reaching out, loving, giving and forgiving heals, restores and takes away loneliness.
I believe the tactics of the enemy are to separate, to isolate and to promote rejection. Many have lost touch with their church fellowship because of the kind of reasons I have spoken about.
Do you feel out of touch, forgotten, abandoned? - find someone to give to, and show them the love that you feel you need.
by Charles Sibthorpe
