>> Verses to Scan (NIV)
- Psalm 68:5-6 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
- John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
- 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
>> Websites to check
These recommended websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of Zondervan, nor do we vouch for their content.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2001/002/18.10.html The devotional “I Feel So Lonely.”
>> Thoughts to Ponder
- When you lack a parent’s love, you may feel like you don’t have a foundation to stand on. But the love of God provides the foundation you need. He describes his love for you throughout the Bible. Read the Love Notes From God in your True Images Bible to remind you of his love.
- Keep in communication with your heavenly Father. Tell him everything you’re thinking and feeling. He never gets tired of hearing from you.
- Talk with a pastor, youth pastor or another trusted adult about how you feel. Don’t gloss over how you’re feeling or act like it’s no big deal. If you’re feeling sad, it is a big deal.
- If a friend is struggling with feelings of abandonment, take time to listen to her. Don’t try to explain away her feelings. And don’t feel you have to “solve” this problem. You can’t on your own. You can pray for the right words to use or for the right resources to suggest.
- Feelings of abandonment can sometimes lead to hopelessness and thoughts of suicide. If you are considering suicide or suspect that a friend is thinking about suicide, tell an adult you trust immediately. Don’t try to handle this on your own or make light of it. Get professional help.
- Keep in mind that counseling doesn’t mean you’re a psyco or “weak.” It’s actually a smart thing to do to take care of yourself.
>> Books to Read
- “Life’s Heaviest Hurt—Abandonment” in Turning Hurts into Halos by Robert H. Schuller, help for dealing with abandonment.
Find out how to buy this... - Keeping Your Life Together When Your Parents Pull Apart: A Teen’s Guide to Surviving Divorce by Angela Elwell Hunt, advice for teens who are experiencing the breakup of their parents’ marriage.
Find out how to buy this...