Extract from Loneliness Versus Being Alone
Loneliness versus Being Alone, the Journey from Isolation to Beautiful Solitude by Julie Porter explores in the Bible, what it says about the topic and how it can help you overcome loneliness and be content in solitude.
Split in two parts, the book helpfully dissects:
Part One – Loneliness: What is its definition? Why do people succumb to it? How do we overcome it?
Part Two – Being Alone: What does ‘being alone’ mean? Is there really any good reason for choosing solitude?
Here is an extract from the book by Julie Porter:
CHAPTER TWO – BEING ALONE: Why?
Whatever the opportunity taken, eventually we have to be alone – what happens if we don’t find some ‘me’ time? We become stressed, overworked, pushed to the very limits of our human capabilities of trying to be ‘patient’ and ‘kind’; and like an overstretched rubber band we can snap with dire consequences not only for ourselves but for all others around us.
As it is a choice we make – then we are in a position to recognise that we need to make this decision now before we do ‘snap’.
On many occasions Jesus knew when he needed to be alone. He knew when he needed to re-connect with the Father and just take time out of his heavy schedule to re-energise himself. In Matthew 14 he tried to do this but met with opposition as the people still followed him, he had to forcibly send the disciples off so that he could go and pray.
So if Jesus took this method then I have to pose the question what are the benefits of being alone? I can only conclude that it has its joys – in setting yourself apart from others you can find respite from the crowds and from the noise. When we are alone we can make time to do what we want to do rather than what others want us to do.
You see, when Jesus prayed he always prayed alone – to get his focus on God to be away from the needy crowd and from teaching and leading his disciples. In fact when the disciples ask Him to teach them to pray he encourages them:
…when you pray go to your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6
Jesus encourages them to go to their room, to their own personal space where they are comfortable and at ease. Then his next instruction is to close the door, i.e. to shut everything out – it’s you and God alone in prayer. Then, finally pray to your Father who is unseen – not to an idol made of earthly materials and placed in front of you so you can look at it and focus on it, but to the Father who is unseen, i.e. you need faith and belief to pray.
Written by Julie Porter
Fake news has become the order of the day as newscasters and journalists lie with impunity! I liken them to the false prophets of Baal who ‘divined’ during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel.
Just published! A Universe Apart Against the Tide by John Cockerill
My wife and I were involved in the setting up of a church on our estate, our house was a magnet for young people. I still do help out with the youth meeting at my church. I have kept note of the creation/evolution debate now for around 50 years and have a desire to communicate my thoughts on the subject.
A Curious Collection of Christian Poems is an assembly of 34 unique and quirky poems that have been inspired by Almighty God, to glorify Him, and to bless us. The one common theme running throughout every poem is the fact that they all point to God. This book can be devotional, and indeed it can be recited time and time again to bless others or to bless oneself. It will make an excellent gift for loved ones who know the Lord, or for those who are seeking him during these unsettled and unprecedented times. This diverse collection of uplifting poems will surely put a smile on your face, and a warm glow in your heart.
It can be said that these experiences first sparked off Joanna’s love of ‘storytelling’ and ‘writing’. and although she wrote a couple of short stories early on, nothing more really became of her passion at that time. Instead, Joanna moved on the her life, later receiving a BA Degree in Industrial Design from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. It was while she was there that the gospel was shared with her, and Joanna later felt God inspiring her to write Christian material, and hence began the start of her poetry journey. 
For the Christian there is no promise that the sun will always shine and that winter winds will be kept from our experience. We set out upon a great adventure of faith, it is a journey of life and perhaps the turning of the road will be much different that we could have ever expected! For us, this was a journey set in God’s calling and answered faithfully. The outworking of that journey, would we have still made, had we known the terrible cost it would inflict upon our lives? Oh, yes, we would still make the same choice, even now! The call, is all that counts. We respond to His will and His purposes. It is a privilege to walk upon the beautiful pathway, which is a service to our Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what! – Linda Plant
About the author
“It must be the biggest decision we have to make, or at least up there as one of the biggest. Who am I going to marry?” The opening words to my book entitled Divine Guidance. And who doesn’t have big decisions to make in their lives, be it work related, health, family…? Here is a book which emphasizes, through personal experiences, powerful illustrations and carefully selected verses from Scripture, God’s part in that decision making process. It tells my story of how God has provided direction by means of the Bible and preaching of the Word, through conversation with others, through the Holy Spirit, through prayer and silence, through coincidences and, finally, through “fleeces.”
