When I Feel Deserted

​“No one stood with me, but they all deserted me.”

The words of the Apostle Paul.

Notice what Paul doesn’t do: he doesn’t leave the church nor does he disband his faith.

If this was many of us, we would be out the door, find another church or leave the faith all together (or so it seems to be many times)

He goes on to say, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened and empowered me, so that through me the gospel message might be fully proclaimed and that all the Gentiles might hear it and I was rescued from the mouth of the Lion” 2 Timothy 2:17

This is reminiscent of others who were deserted at their greatest time of need:
Job.
David.
Daniel.
Jesus.
They were deserted and too rescued from the “mouth of a lion”.

But they didn’t abandon ship. Their hope was in a person, not people.

A few lessons:

1. Nobody cares. I am all alone.
These are sentiments that are valid. I have been there. I have heard these words from my sheep but are no excuse to leave the church or disband your faith.
Lean in on Jesus. Recognize who is behind the lies.
You are NOT alone. You will never be alone. If you never learn to cherish the Savior, you will always feel alone.
If you never learn to abide in Him, you will always feel alone.

2. Humans will fail you. That is a fact. Pastors will fail you. Church people will fail you.
I have heard these words directed at me many times-where was I….why didn’t I visit enough….etc.
We are human. Pastors are human. Pastors are not omnipresent. They have the same 24 hours as you do.
Sometimes we assume people know the details of a situation in a persons life, but that is not the case in most situations, so the enemy uses assumptions or the thought that people should know what you are going through. Don’t let assumptions cause you to go into a deeper depression.

Sometimes our aloneness is meant to be as it creates an unsettledness and is in essence a test—will I lean on Jesus or will I lean on my feelings?

3. I am sorry for any hurt that has been intentionally or unintentionally inflicted on you because of seasons of being alone. There are legitimate hurts from the body.
I don’t want to water it down or sweep it under the rug.
Just don’t stay there. Get in the Word. Spend some time with Jesus. CRY OUT TO HIM!
One of my favorite things to do when it seems like I am alone is I read the Psalms. David encountered desertion. He lived it a lot of his life and you can see that his example always cries out to God.
I would encourage you to reach out to someone that you can trust.
I would also encourage you to get involved in a small group of believers that will encourage you in the faith and hold your accountable.

4. Run to Jesus.
Elijah ran after his monumental Mountaintop experience to depression and a cave but he eventually ran back to God.
Job confessed after destruction came to him.
““I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.””
‭‭Job‬ ‭42:2-6‬ ‭

The disciples deserted Jesus but he willingly went to the cross because He knew salvation would come to all mankind.

And back to Paul…..

He didn’t leave the church. He didn’t leave the faith. He stuck to what he knew and WHO he knew.

Today, you many feel alone. You may feel like you have been deserted, but you have not. There is SOMEONE far greater that is in you beside you and with you.

He has not deserted nor will He as a believer and we can find this in His Word:

“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up), nor will I forsake or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?””
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:5-6‬
​
As a believer, you are NEVER alone.