Encouragement for Today

May 21, 2024 When You Feel Lonely and Left Out CRYSTAL PAINE Lee en español

“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)

“She didn’t pick me, Mom.”

Her voice quivered. Tears ran down her cheeks. And my heart hurt so badly.

We were on our way home from a party that one of our then-tween girls had been invited to. As soon as my daughter got in the car, I knew something was wrong. Her face reflected disappointment, and her eyes brimmed with tears just waiting to spill out.

Slowly, the story emerged. They had played a game involving the birthday girl picking individuals to be on her team, playing against the other girls at the party.

The only problem was my girl didn’t get picked. And throughout the game, everyone else was chosen.

She felt intentionally left out and slighted. We had just made a cross-country move, and she was struggling to make new friends. So being the only one not picked stung extra deeply.

I knew how she felt — and you probably do too. If you have ever felt overlooked, left out, unloved or lonely, I want you to know you’re not alone. Everyone feels that at one point (or many points!) in our lifetime. But more importantly, Scripture tells us:

“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8, emphasis added).

This promise is not just in the Old Testament, but it’s reiterated in the New Testament in Hebrews 13:5:

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (ESV, emphasis added).

Yet another confirmation that you aren’t alone comes in one of Jesus’ names: Immanuel, which means, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23, ESV). I think of that often when I feel lonely, scared or left out.

God is always with you. And He sent His Son to earth in human form so you and I would know for sure that we aren’t alone. We don’t have to go through our days by ourselves. We don’t have to rely upon our own strength, our own wisdom or our own power.

Even if no one else chooses us, God has chosen us (Ephesians 1:11).
Even if no one else seems to notice us, God sees us (Psalm 33:18).
Even if we feel like we’re all alone, God is with us (Psalm 23:4).

Whatever you face today, remember you aren’t facing it alone. You have a wonderful heavenly Father who is right there with you and will never leave nor forsake you.

Heavenly Father, thank You that even in the darkest valleys, the deepest sorrows and most difficult disappointments, You’ll never leave my side. You see me, You know me, and You are with me. Help me cling to that truth as I go about my day. Let it change me and give me confidence and courage. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Need some reminders of how much God loves you? In the first three chapters of Crystal Paine’s book Love-Centered Parenting, she shares her journey to understanding how much God loves her and how that radically changed her life. She gives you practical steps for how you, too, can rest in God’s love for you and live out of that love to bless everyone around you.

ENGAGE

To connect with Crystal and see behind the scenes of her very real and not-perfect life of trusting Jesus and walking by faith as an adoptive/special-needs mom and biological mom of six kids (college-aged to toddler), follow her on Instagram.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me …” (NIV).

How would it change your life and outlook to truly believe that God is with you in whatever dark valley you are facing right now?

We’d love to hear your responses! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2024 by Crystal Paine. All rights reserved.