Sometimes you are just….empty. Like a cup that’s been sitting in the sink for too long. Or that long stretch of horizon in the middle of the ocean.

Or is it you just feel empty? As if, there is nothing to pull from. Nothing left to give. That’s not to say that you have given up. Oh no – you’re a fighter. You will solider on. You have been able to pull yourself out of situations before and there’s nothing that a little sleep, coffee, and a good long cry won’t fix.

Right? Well, hopefully.

You smile at everyone and say all the right words, but the truth is even in the crowd you are…alone. It’s a strange feeling, to feel alone in a crowd. Being a part, yet not a part of something; it makes you feel emptier and more unwanted then you already feel. It’s hard to keep pretending, and participating when you are not really a part of the team.

The bare bones truth is: feeling lonely and empty sucks. You don’t know if anyone really cares if you cry, show up, leave, or are alive. It’s almost like being depressed except you’re not sad you just feel cut off from everyone else. Like living in a bubble, you know, like the bubble boy.

You can see and participate in everything, but you can’t touch anything. It’s actually quite emotionally draining in reality.

King David had it right when he cried out to the Lord,

“Turn to me and have mercy on me, because I am lonely and hurting.” (Psalm 26:16)

Sometimes we just need to cry out to God and put it on the table so to speak. He already knows what is going on. However, sometimes we need to speak it out for our own sakes. It is easy to pretend that everything is ok when we never have to mention it. Yet, the moment we say it out loud it becomes real.

We need to tell the Lord our problems, so that He can clean and refill us. So we no longer feel empty and lonely.

It is hard to fill a cup or bowl that still has some residue from the last use in it. Ok. Well it’s not really hard, but it’s nasty and unsanitary and pretty much frowned upon by everyone and you shouldn’t do it. Basically you won’t be getting the best from whatever is being poured into the cup or bowl because of the leftover mess. If that makes sense.

If we are feeling lonely we need to let Him know so that He can begin to work on the things that are causing the loneliness and clean our cups. The funny thing about feeling lonely is that God said:

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Oh, and:

“So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

(Isaiah 41:10)

Plus:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

When you look at it like that we aren’t as alone as we feel.

I know that in our minds it feels as though no one cares, but God does, and I do too. His word is infallible. It’s never changing, and cannot return void. So if He said it. He meant it.

So during the times when the loneliness feels like it is overwhelming and you are on an island by yourself. Remember God is with us. He has not left us alone, and He cares. That is absolutely amazing in its mind-blowing ability. That the God that made Heaven and Earth cares so much about us that He will always be there and NEVER leave us, all because He said so. Just like when our parents would say “Because I said so.”

Maybe take the time today and ask God to refill your cup. It helps me when I’m feeling empty.

God can also fill whatever emptiness you have if you ask him to do that too. And always remember:

“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38)

You are not alone!