There is much pain and loneliness in the world. Every day people disappoint us. It’s difficult to keep your head up and keep going. It seems so easy to forget how much God loves us; we forget this is the only thing that matters. We love Jesus because He first loved us.
When we come to understand who He is and what He has done for us, we cannot help but love Him more than we love anyone or anything else. None compare to Jesus. When we live in this truth, the disappointments and discouragements of this world begin to matter less. Only Jesus is worthy of our affection.
Realizing how much Jesus loves us, we are no longer destroyed when the love we show for another is not returned. Heartbreak is part of the human condition. We fall in love, express our love to another, only to discover they do not feel the same way about us. Or perhaps a long-term relationship ends and leaves you devastated. No longer. The love of Jesus never fails. When our love for Him exceeds what we have for anyone else, we will not be crushed when our earthly loves pass away.
With Jesus, loneliness is no longer suffocating, because we are never alone. He promised to never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). How can one be lonely when their Creator is right by their side? Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). We are never alone. There is no room for loneliness in the heart of a follower of Christ.
When others criticize us, we need only remember what Jesus thinks of us. We are His beloved, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). He has designed each of us with a unique mixture of skills, gifts, and passions to accomplish work for His Kingdom. He has given us everything we need to succeed. We cannot fail. Remember this next time you are criticized. Critics will come and go. Your Father will always be there, encouraging you further.
Rejection is no longer a badge of shame, but rather one of courage in light of our standing with Jesus. Many of our brothers and sisters face rejection from their families because of their belief in Christ. They are cast out of their homes, fired from their jobs, and pushed to the fringes of society. No matter. We are sons and daughters of the King. He welcomes us into His family.
It’s vital to remember how much God loves you. He is the elixir for every ill you will face on earth. He loves you when no one else does. He is by your side when everyone else has abandoned you. Jesus is your biggest cheerleader, always encouraging, always rooting for you. Christ reaches out His hand to you no matter how far you’ve fallen; you are always at home with Him. The Savior’s love for us is so great, so intense. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He calls you His own. Rest in His peace, His love, His favor, mercy, and righteousness. When all else has faded away, there will still be Jesus; only Jesus.