FACING OUR LONELINESS IN GOD'S PRESENCE

FACING OUR LONELINESS IN GOD'S PRESENCE
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 by HADASSAH TREU

Categories: devotional / GUEST AUTHORS / Reviews and Interviews / TUESDAY'S TREASURE

PLEASE WELCOME

HADASSAH TREU

TUESDAY’S TREASURE

After the unexpected loss of my husband several years ago, loneliness has been my constant companion.

Even when I am surrounded by people, I often feel the piercing pain of loneliness like a cold metal blade in my chest.

This feeling intensifies, especially on occasions such as family celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays, and special days. Nothing prepared me for the intensified pain and emptiness of my first Christmas without my beloved. I felt half of me was missing, and I was walking around with my chest open and my tender heart shattered and exposed. My eyes kept darting, longing to see the one I missed so terribly.

But the chair beside me was empty. The dazzling lights of the Christmas tree and the smiling faces of my friends, gathered around the tree, laughing and spreading good vibes, just magnified the incredible loneliness I felt.

Loneliness whispered to me that I was alone, and nobody really cared or understood me.

This, however, didn't reflect the truth. The Bible is full of God’s assurances of His constant presence with us and in us, and His unwavering love. Our feelings are not completely trustworthy in reflecting the spiritual reality revealed from the Old to the New Testament:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 21:20 (NIV).

Loneliness can propel us straight into God's loving embrace. When we choose the path to the heart of God in our lonely hours and days, we can taste the sweetness of God's nearness and intimate fellowship. We can enjoy the most precious gift of intimacy with the Lord. We can grow in the knowledge of the Lord, and in wisdom and understanding, in our identity and purpose.

In this loneliest moment I had during my first Christmas without my husband, when I could not even express my pain and anguish in words, He heard the cry of my soul. I perceived this gentle voice in my thoughts: "I understand you, my child, and I deeply care."

I came back home, and I invited Jesus into my loneliness and pain.

Together we sat down, and I pulled out an empty Christmas card and wrote it to my husband, telling him how much I missed him. Then I mourned and sobbed in the everlasting arms of my Heavenly Father.

Being open and transparent with Him and sharing everything (the good, the bad, and the ugly, our thoughts, concerns, and feelings) is the key to tapping into God’s presence and building an intimate connection. We can intentionally have ongoing conversations aimed not only at sharing but also at tuning our spiritual ears to hear from God. He is talking to us and longs to reveal His heart to us.

We may feel lonely, but we are never truly alone.

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If you want to find out more about the gifts hidden in loneliness and twelve more painful experiences, check out Hadassah’s book Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings. Her book aims to help readers not only identify and accept their losses but, more importantly, it shows them that each painful experience can be a birthplace of blessings.

The blog post is adapted with permission from Hadassah Treu's book, Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings.

ABOUT HADASSAH TRUE

An award-winning bilingual author of 3 books and co-author of 14 more, Hadassah Treu loves encouraging the broken-hearted to partner with God so they can endure and grow in the dark valleys of life. Her book "Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthday of Blessings", released with Calla Press Publishing in 2024. Featured on over 70 faith-based platforms and podcasts like Her View from Home, The Upper Room, (In)courage, Living by Design, Proverbs 31 Ministries, COMPEL Pro Blog, she is a hope-bringing speaker and writer at onthewaybg.com, which is in the Top 100 Faith Blogs ranked by Feedspot in 2025. Hadassah is a professional member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and COMPEL Pro Training member, leader, and contributor. Connect with Hadassah on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

MY REVIEW*****

I wish I could give this more than five stars. I found this book to be one of the best to share with anyone going through emotional trauma. Through personal anecdotes of how God brought her through unbelievable loss and suffering, Hadassah supplements these personal stories with sound scriptural examples, the flawed heroes of our faith who triumphed through their unexpected journeys. Hadassah provides helpful insights and reminders at the end of each chapter, highlighting the losses felt during emotional crises, the gains, and how God can turn these painful times into “hidden blessings.” Echoes my own tagline, “God can turn our worst past into our best future.” She closes each chapter with a prayer to help the reader Draw Near.

I recommend this book!

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