Tag: <span>not alone</span>

“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.Exodus 17:12

God created us for relationship. He made us to be dependent on each other. We were never meant to live life alone. Just as the different parts of a body are dependent on one another to work most efficiently, we need each other — especially during the most difficult times.

The Israelites were in a time of war against Amalek, and when Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, and when he let his hands down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses could no longer hold up his hands on his own, his friends came around him.

I have a friend who is currently battling breast cancer. Like all who have gone through times of despair where perseverance is vital, she is in great need for people to come around her and hold her up with encouragement and support.

To feel alone and abandoned while fighting your own internal war is an overwhelming and frightening feeling. Just as Moses had friends to surround him and help anchor him for the sake of victory, we are called to do the same for those around us who need to be lifted up.

And we should also be willing to ask others to lift us up when needed. There is a tendency to isolate ourselves during challenging periods in our lives. It is the enemy’s goal to make us believe that we are alone in our circumstances and that we don’t have anybody who will come along side us and “hold up our hands.” This is so we’ll lose hope. Remember, we were never meant to “go it alone.” It may be hard, but reach out so you, too can be held up in your battles, just like Moses and my friend.

Father God, thank you that I am not alone and for being my ultimate source of strength to endure what I am going through. Help me to be the kind of friend that people can lean on during their times of difficulty so they can feel your presence around them and have a sense of hope and victory in their situation. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

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FURTHER READING

 How to Pray

•  Asking Specifically when you pray

•   Hailing the Chief– a story about how we all pray differently but often don’t even stop to fellowship with God while we are praying.

thoughts by Brigitte Straub Thoughts by Women

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25


My wife asked, “Do you really think you should do it?

I had been sick for two days but, in my optimism, I thought I could still compete. I had successfully completed the same triathlon two years earlier.

Swimming was first, my least favorite event. Warming up and chatting with others gave me a boost of energy. Then the gun rang out, but very quickly I realized my energy was not matching my ambition. I alerted a race official in a kayak that I was not feeling good. At the first corner maker, I realized I was not just feeling bad, I was in danger. I called for help, which lead to some focused attention from the emergency medical staff.

We are commanded to meet with other believers — to encourage one another through love and good deeds. God’s commands are for two main reasons: to protect us and provide for us. In Genesis 2:18 God said it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone, so he created Eve. Today, God has created a community of believers because it is still not good for “Adam” to be alone.

I did not listen to my wife or to my body; I was, on the other hand, inspired by the other athletes. Spiritually we need the combination of both inspiration and wisdom. Inspiration motivates us to take steps of faith. Wisdom helps us know when and how to move forward. None of this happens in isolation. We place ourselves in danger when we neglect God’s commands.

Father, help me understand the danger of not responding to your command to seek the company of others that love you. God, give me the humility to both give and receive love and good deeds and to embrace not only the inspiration but the wisdom to do your will. Amen.

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission

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Further Reading

•  He Guides Us

•  God is Bigger than All My Problems

•   Jesus is Always There!


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Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard