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Accentuate the positives

Some of the good and bad things about living alone

Shared moments

There are positive and negative things about living with others just as much as there are about living alone but those who live alone have no one to share those moments with. Many who live alone find this a particular burden. If you live alone I want you to go through a practical exercise with me—you need a pen and paper and a Bible.

Practical exercise

Think of some positives and negatives about living alone. I no longer live alone but I remember I used to like having enough time to give to hobbies but I used to hate cooking for one. I used to like choosing whether to have music on or have silence but I felt particularly lonely after spending time staying with friends.

Write a list. You may find that you think of more things over the coming days.

Let’s think over your list of negatives first. Pray over each one and hand them over to Jesus at the cross. See if you can put into words your feelings of why you don’t like these things.

As you pray and think, see if you can find an encouraging Scripture to match each of your negatives. It may be a promise that God will meet that need or just some encouragement that you are not alone but in His care. If nothing comes to mind I have put some verses which may be useful below but try to think of your own because God may have something special that He wants to draw just your attention to. Thank God that He will meet all your needs.

Look now at your list of positives. Praise God for them. You might want to think of appropriate Scriptures for these too. Keep this list close by and when you are feeling down, turn to it again and praise God. Praise changes your mood and moves you into a good place where you are complete and not empty.

But [my] delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law [I] meditate day and night. 

Psalm 1 v2

 

Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. 

Psalm 2 v12

To the Lord I cry aloud and he answers me from His holy hill.

 Psalm 3 v4

Know the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself. 

Psalm 4 v3

 

In the morning, o Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You. 

Psalm 5 v3

 

For you have upheld my right and my cause. 

Psalm 9 v4

I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 

Psalm 31 v 7

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely. 

Psalm 112 v5

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

Psalm 119 v 148

 

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This article © Linda Faber 2006-2009.