Have you ever started feeling so sorry for yourself that you played Elvis Presley's song, "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and spent the rest of the evening crying?

As a single person, it's important for you to know that you can be alone without being lonely. I travel all the time and stay in hotels by myself, but you know what? I enjoy it.

I enjoy being by myself and spending time with God, and you can too. He is always there for you. The Bible says that when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (James 4:8 NKJV).

I also want you to remember that you're never really alone. The Bible is full of evidence that shows you have the Greater One, the Holy Spirit, living right on the inside of you, and He's with you wherever you go!

Matthew 28:20 says, "...and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world...." That is good news! Jesus said in Hebrews 13:5, "...I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." That means everywhere you go, He is with you.

Maybe you're reading this today and you've been divorced or widowed, or maybe you've never been married, but you're just lonely. I want you to know that the Holy Spirit wants to comfort you. Your life isn't over! God is a God of second, third and fourth chances.

"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day" (Prov. 4:18 NASB).

Notice that doesn't say your path is getting dimmer and dimmer. Your future is bright!

God is your Helper and your Comforter in times when you don't know what to do. In John 14:16-18, Jesus said,

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth...for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless....

You can lean on Him when you need comfort.

'God Is Helping Me!'
I have a friend whose husband recently went home to be with the Lord. She is about sixty-five years old and wonderful saint of God, and of course, it was so hard on her when her husband died. She missed all the things that they did together, like eating and fixing things together around the house.

But one day shortly after his death I called her on the phone to ask how she was. I told her, "I know you miss your husband tremendously. But God cares so much about you that He is going to be an even greater Husband to you, because you need Him."

And she said, "You know what? I'm beginning to see that. God is helping me."

She really pressed into believing for the comfort of the Holy Spirit. And she said, "Every time I have a need arise in my life, the Lord sends someone to meet it. I'm experiencing the supernatural comfort of the Holy Spirit. I almost feel guilty because God is helping me so much!"

Thank God for the Holy Ghost! You can count on Him!

Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name....
( Isa. 54:4-5 NIV)

If you are a single woman, God is your Husband! Whether you are male or female, divorced, widowed, or never been married, you might be hurting today because of loneliness.

I want to encourage you to bathe your spirit in these Scriptures. Then as much as you can, focus on what is good in your life, and put your faith in God.

Good Friends Are Important
Whenever I start to feel lonely or discouraged over being single, I call somebody. I go out and do something, or I reach out to someone. It's so important to have good friends! I try to surround myself with people who will encourage me.

I have one set of friends, a married couple, who are such good friends that I can just call them up anytime and invite myself over. Sometimes I spend the night at their house. They have always told me that if I'm ever feeling a little down, I can just call them up and come over.

Find people who are of like, precious faith with whom you can fellowship. If there's nobody like that in your life, ask God to send you someone. Say, "Lord send those people my way."

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly..." (Prov. 18:24).

According to the Bible, in order to have friends, you have to be friendly. Sometimes that means you have to go out of your way, outside of your comfort zone, and be friendly to someone else. You know, someone out there might need you as a friend.

So do your best to not focus all your attention on yourself. Take the first step. Be courageous. Make the extra effort, even if it's hard for you to walk up and introduce yourself to someone. Don't just sit around and wait for the phone to ring; pick it up and call someone and go do something.

It will make all the difference in your life.

Source: Single and Loving It by Kate McVeigh
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers