One Thing To Do When You Feel “Too High”

Hi to my friends stopping by from Encouragement for Today! I’m so glad you’re here.

Just a note today to tell you friend, you’re not alone.

I’m not a fan of loneliness. I was born a twin … I wasn’t even alone in the womb! I enjoy companionship and closeness with the people I love most.

But sometimes when we experience those high places we talked about in the devotion we can feel like we’re all alone. We sit at the end of the bed, or the kitchen counter, or alone in the carpool line and we wonder why no one else understands. We wish for someone, anyone who could.

If you are in that lonely place today sister, let me encourage you – lonely places can sometimes be the best places.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16 (NIV)

Scripture records several times when Jesus sought out “lonely” places to pray. It seems when He found himself alone, He found himself with His Heavenly Father.

And you can, too.

Sometimes loneliness in this world is the key that opens the door to togetherness with God.

When we have no one on earth to turn to, Heaven opens up.

God recently asked me to go to a place I really didn’t want to go. It’s a place where I’ve often experienced loneliness and frustration. It’s a place I’ve tried to get away from before, but it’s a place God asked me to go.

Initially, I tried to put a smile on my face and say all the right things. But God doesn’t ask us to get ourselves straight before we run to Him. He wants our honest thoughts and true feelings.

In a moment of transparency I dropped to my knees and said out loud, I hate that place, and I don’t want to go.

I found myself all alone on my knees before our mighty God, desperate and honest … and God met me.

If loneliness is what brings us to Heaven’s door, honesty is the hand that turns the knob.

How honest can you be with God? Gut honest. Ugly honest. Every, single thought honest.

We have plenty of options of where to spill our hearts these days. God’s throne is the surest place. You can shout or mumble. Cry or grit your teeth. You can even shake your head and with the little strength you have left utter, I don’t even know what to pray.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26 (NIV)

I love that. When we don’t know what we need, God’s Spirit is way ahead of us.

When I cried out to God in my lonely place, He didn’t change my assignment. But for the first time in my wrestling I felt peace. And now, I’m even a little excited about it … but let’s not get carried away.

Though I may not have immediately experienced a heart shift, I gained confidence that God would go with me. And we can count on that. He will always go with us.

To help you keep pressing in to Jesus and on with His plan, I’m giving away a copy of Lysa TerKeurst’s book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. To enter to win leave a comment by Thursday, July 29.

P.S. Though we’ll never take the place of fellowship with God through Jesus, I love this community God’s created here. We share and pray and do this life stuff together, and I’d love for you to spend time with us here, too.

Subscribe today in the box in the left hand column, and I’ll send you some of my go-to verses to fight fear and anxiety.

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79 Comments

  1. I would love to win a copy of Lysa TerKeurst’s book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. Thank you for the chance to win.

  2. I like your clear and considerate remarks. Thank you for sharing how you live. Love, love

  3. Thank you for sharing your fear of being alone. I’m personally like to be alone, but like you… I sometime feels as if I’m doing something wrong. A guilt feeling comes over me when I’ve too much times being alone. So… Lately.. Something tells me to go and take a short walk around the blocks . I did and it felt real nice. I’m glad you mentioned that Jesus spends his times alone to think, pray and just looking around to listened to his Heavenly Father. I’m taking baby steps right now.
    Thank you.
    Tina

  5. Thanks so much for the great post on P31. I really resonate with the fear after taking my daughter home. I want another one, but not sure I can handle it since my 1st is a handful! I appreciate the reminder that God has me. 🙂

    1. To be honest, Elisabeth, if someone told me I’d have SIX kids when I only had one I would have either laughed or cried. I absolutely did NOT believe I could do more than one, but you are so right. God had me and He has you! One day at a time relying on Him! Thank you so much for sharing here!

  6. I have been suffering with lonliness after an abusive relationship turned into divorce. I believe I was co-dependant. I miss him, even the unkind things he said to me became normal….they’re not! I’ve been making new friends and searching for mercy and grace through Christ. Thank you for such uplifting encouragement.

    1. What an honor to be a part of God’s truth encouraging you through this difficult season. I’m blessed by your words and you are right, Barbie, it is NOT normal and you are beautiful and dearly, dearly loved by your Heavenly Father!

  7. Thank you so much for this article. I have been struggling to make time to pray for others for many of the days during the past week or so. After reading this article, I was prompted to speak honestly to God about this problem. I was shocked at the words of my prayer:” Oh Lord, I don’t want to pray because it feels like a waste of time.. ” Is that really what I think and feel about praying? I’ve considered myself to be a prayer warrior. But recently I told my unbelieving son that I was going to pray that he got to sit beside a born-again believer on a long plane journey and have an enlightening discussion. Since my son ( a very sociable guy) told me that he said not one word to the persons beside him on the plane, I must admit I felt let down by God. I had prayed in faith but apparently the prayer was not answered in the affirmative. It seems my husband was right to say, “You can’t know for sure if it is God’s will, God’s timing for this to occur.”

    1. Gai, I love that honesty, and I think many more of us feel that same way but never say it. Honesty is what starts the march to truth! It’s only when we get to the bottom of how we feel that God can begin to take us to His promises. Thank you for the boldness to share here today. I’m so glad you did!

  8. God is truly faithful. Even when I don’t understand why he says no when it is something I have wanted so badly, He still takes care of us. How terrific is that. Sometimes I wonder how he can love me when I act just like a little kid not getting his way.

  9. Thank you for the reminder that God wants us to be honest with Him. I sometimes try to put on the good Christian girl face with God, knowing He knows the truth.

  10. This was such a great reminder! Exactly what I needed to hear this morning! Thank you!

  11. I, too, am a twin. Thank you for your inspiring and encouraging words. What a comfort to know that God is and always will be with us every step of the way, even in the places we don’t want to go.

  14. Thank you for the encouragement writing today and your blog. They both spoke to me. I’m in a waiting season and I can see myself growing. But I also know there will be a time again where God will be asking me to go/do something. I’m going to have to go and know He will be with me.

  15. I am going through a time of loneliness in my life now. Thanks to this blog, I will see this time as an opportunity to draw near to Heaven’s door.

  16. I love this devotional. I often feel quite isolated as I’ve been struggling with an anxiety disorder for several years. It’s totally irrational and I know it’s very difficult for other people to try to understand. I’m really encouraged by this to focus on drawing near to God and finding my comfort in Him. Thank you and blessings to you.

  17. If loneliness is what brings us to Heaven’s door, honesty is the hand that turns the knob.

    This is utterly brilliant! Thank you!

  18. This is spot on for me, especially the heart crying out that I don’t want to be in the loneliness. Knowing I am not alone in the loneliness helps…and yet it doesn’t on some level…to be honest. I am weary.

    1. Praying for you today, Danielle. May God meet you in your weariness. Thank you for your honesty and boldness to share here.

  19. I really enjoyed your devotion on Proverbs31 this morning, and this one really took it to the next level. Thank you for your openness and being vulnerable. I am not only in a very lonely place relationally, thanks to a cross-country move, but I find myself in the place where I’ve said “Yes” to God, but I have no clue what I’m saying “Yes” to. It feels like I am on the cusp of something, but no clue what it is….Thanks for reminding us that saying “Yes” and being lonely can go hand in hand, but that we are always surrounded by our Father.

    1. This is beautiful, Christina, “saying ‘Yes’ and being lonely can go hand in hand, but we are always surrounded by our Father.” Amen!

  20. What an encouragement! I have always tried to compose myself before coming before our Heavenly Father. Your words were definitely what I needed!

    1. “I have always tried to compose myself before coming before our Heavenly Father.” Julie I love how you said this and I think you summed up how so many of us feel. Thank you for sharing!

  21. If Jesus needed to get away to be alone for Jesus, how much more do we. At those times we can call up God and be assured God will be with us wherever we are walking. Thank you for your message and encouragement.

  22. I was recently in “that” place of being alone, feeling like no one understood, feeling like a failure. And honestly, a little mad with God. Yet, He was the only one I could turn to. I didn’t experience His voice about this until a few days later, and then it was like God was saying, “Surprise!” When He is silent, He is often waiting until we are ready to listen to Him. He is patiently waiting for us to humble ourselves, realize He is all we need, and then, He surprises us with His amazing love.

  24. Thank you for this! I’m asking God for His peace and patience in a situation I’m in right now. I would love a copy of that book. Thanks for the chance.

  25. Thank you for the reminders that God is with us all the time especially in what we think are our darkest hours. Lord, thank you for being with us all.

  26. Thank you so much for the reminder that it is ok to be and feel lonely sometimes. I know that my life gets busy and very loud sometimes and I know that I can’t hear God and I know I don’t take the time to spend with God. It is a good thing to stop and be alone and allow God to be the only one in our lives sometimes. Such a great reminder for a place no one really likes to be in.

  27. Thank you for sharing this in my time of need and knowing that I can trust in our Lord, especially when I feel I am walking this path of darkness at the moment and that every door around me is shut and locked forever.

  28. This is a good reminder. I loved the devotion on proverbs 31 too. I’m due with a baby next month. We already have a 2 and half year old daughter, and my son will be 5 in October and God has called me to homeschool him this year. This is all very scary and Is taking a lot of faith. I’m still saying “too high” but I’m trusting the lord and waiting to see what He does. I appreciate this post! God bless you!

    1. Oh Jessica how I understand that “Too High” moment!! I’m praying for you as you walk in obedience. God has you and your family!

  29. I have just come through living in a place where I have experienced much loneliness. Your words to day were so uplifting and such an encouraging and truthful reminder of what I have been experiencing. God certainly feels closer in times of loneliness. Thank you for your encouragement!

  30. Thanks for the great devotion and blog post! This is the first time I’ve been to your blog, and I plan on coming back! I love that we can go to him even when we don’t know what to pray!
    Thank you Jesus for always knowing what we need.

  31. I spend much of my time alone or away from people. I am never alone because He is always wherever I am. I am so thankful for all you ladies out there. I am going through BIG changes in my life. God wants me to go somewhere in don’t wanna….I think OR its just my family that wants me to go. I am using my lonely time for much-needed prayer. Praying for healing, guidance and wisdom. Thank You Lord Jesus!

  32. I too have been in some lonely places. Through prayer and scripture I found that God was with me all the time. I just needed to seek Him.

  33. While reading Proverbs 31 ministries this morning I came across your writing. I am so excited to read your writings and learn as I go. In today’s world I seem to have a hard time finding friends that want to discuss God and not be judgemental. We all have struggles as women and having a friend to share is something that I feel is of great importance in today’s society. Just simply excited to read along and see what God teaches me. Thanks for sharing.

  34. Thank you for this timely devotion today. I have been more alone lately than I care to be. I too do not like being on my own. I have been battling some huge life altering decisions and I have been feeling like no one is there for me. I see now that I am not alone and I just need to reach up.

    Again thank you for pouring into me today!!

  35. I needed this today! Thank you for the reminder that we don’t have to rely on our on strength. God is with us and for us. We can do all things through Him! Thank you!

  36. Ugly honest…how freeing to know that our God is big enough to take on our ugly honesty!

  37. Thank you for this post! I love the reminder that God, through the Spirit, intercedes for us when we cannot form the words or thoughts we need to pray. Very comforting.

  39. It is so comforting to know that I am never alone. What a great reminder of this in your devotional today. Sometimes it’s hard to remember this when you are going through the trial…

  41. I do feel like I’m alone in how I feel sometimes. As if no one else has had the same emotional response to the gifts God has given them. But I know it is all happening because of some plan God has, and that gives me hope.

  42. Thank you for the encouraging words! Sometimes we just need a reminder that we aren’t alone even when when we feel like we are because God is always with us! How great it is that we have a God we can be completely honest with and is always with us!!

  44. Thank you for your encouragements today. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

  45. Feeling alone in problems and life can be overwhelming. Sometimes alone time is necessary but loneliness can lead to depression and anxiety. Thank you for your devotion. I love to read messages online from other women searching and striving to do what God wants them to but sometimes struggling. I feel less alone knowing that others are having similar issues.

  46. Thank you for the devotions you write. I, also, have always had a problem with being alone. I, too, was a twin, but due to complications, she didn’t make it long enough to be born. I do believe this is the main part in me always needing someone. I am becoming a lot better with dealing with this, now that I am growing closer to God!

  47. Hi Katy,
    I was both encouraged and challenged by Lysa’s book
    What Happens When Women say Yes to God. I would love to win a copy to give to my daughter who is a first time mom
    Thanks for your willingness to be transparent in your sharing.

  48. Thanks so much for this reminder! My last 3 kids(and oldest ones) joined our family thru international adoption, so I have lots of those “too high” moments every day! The book sounds like a good one, too!
    God bless!

  49. I truly needed to read this today. Discernment about a decision I need to make in the future and having faith that the Lord will be by my side every step of the way – that’s what I’m praying about. Thank you.

  50. I would love a copy of Lisa’s book. I’m struggling right now to get a job after drug addiction caused me to lose my nurse’s license and have felony drug possession on my record. I believe God has something special for me most days, but sometimes I struggle with thinking that this is my deserved punishment for my past sins. I’m sober one year now, and hoping for the best!

    1. Hi Ana! I am praying for two years, then three, then a lifetime e of sobriety and soaring in Jesus’ arms. Thank you for sharing your heart!

  51. Lovely devotional! And would love to win a copy of the book! Thanks for the giveaway!

  52. I’m so thankful that I can pour out my heart before God because he is a refuge for me. I’m currently in a job that I feel totally inadequate in but I know that if He gave me the opportunity, He’s more than able to supply me with what I need.

  53. I feel this flying too high feeling with my new season of life. God has plans and I feel so afraid of where he’s taking me some days. Thank you for the honest look at when we become fearful of our calling.

  54. I am in this place of loneliness and absolute helplessness. I have Depression, bipolar, and OCD, and if that isn’t enough I have chronic pain and after meeting my deductible and out of pocket for the year, I am having to switch insurance companies because mine is bankrupt so I have to start from square one. Too high God! I need Your strength God because I am flailing.

    1. I am praying for you right now, Jen. Thank you for sharing your heart here.

  56. Thanks for your words of encouragement today! I would love to win a copy of Lisa’s book. May God bless you! 🙂

  57. I would love to win a copy of Lysa’s book not only for myself but for all the other women in my immediate and extended family. God bless you for what you shared in your devotional!

  59. Thank you for your beautiful words today. I don’t like to be alone and I needed the reminder it’s okay to be raw, open, and honest- not just okay but necessary. Your closing prayer on P31 was truly the best.

  60. Hi Katy~
    First of all, wow, you’re a twin??! Me too! I’m an identical twin..are you? 🙂 (So I totally get the not liking to be alone thing…my sister and I are inseparable.) On a more serious note…I struggled very recently with loneliness. I’ve changed the direction of my life (thanks to God!) and it seems that a lot of the so-called “friends” of mine fell off the face of the earth. Huh? So I felt abandoned, rejected, etc. Now, however, I’m seeing God placing godly women in my path and I’m thankful for that. I will tell you that at 36 years old I prayed REPEATEDLY for a good 3 months at least for ONE friend…sad, I know; however once I stopped that and surrendered my loneliness to God and accepted the fact that maybe this is a season of growing in my faith…the very next day He placed a new friend in my path. Amazing!

  61. A great way to start the day! Thank you for reminding me that alone is ok and maybe necessary to focus on hearing God

  62. I have felt lonely so long, but never saw it as an opportunity to draw nearer to God. Good reminder!!

  64. I am currently feeling like I’m in that “alone” place – and I’m feeling no peace there….. thank you for sharing these words. Although I’m feeling mad at God right now, I know He can handle my questions, anger and sadness, and lead me to a place of peace.

  65. I appreciate your perspective on how when we trust God, he can take us far beyond our comfort zone, but that is a place of real growth and intimacy with our Father.

  66. I feel like I have been so busy this Summer… I have not prioritized my time well and need to work at my quiet time and getting back to routine again …

  67. I would love to win a copy of Lysa TerKeurst’s book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. Thank you for the chance to win.

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