Until the will and the affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His lordship.

Loneliness itself is material for sacrifice. The very longings themselves can be offered to Him who understands perfectly. The transformation into something He can use for the good of others takes place only when the offering is put into his hands.

The pain of loneliness is one way in which he wants to get our attention. We may be earnestly desiring to be obedient and holy. But we may be missing the fact that it is here, where we happen to be at this moment and not in another place or another time, that we may learn to love Him - here where it seems He is not at work, where He seems obscure or frightening, where He is not doing what we expected Him to do, where He is most absent. Here and nowhere else is the appointed place. If faith does not got to work here, it will not work at all.

If you have lost your life, remember that He promises that you will find it.

If you are married, then accept that. Accept the husband that God has given you. If you are single, accept your singleness and take it as if today was the last day of your life. Don't be looking constantly to the future.

Think of this- we may live together with Him here and now, a daily walking with Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Until the will and the affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His lordship.