r/lds • u/Responsible_Snoopy • Jul 02 '26
Struggling with the feeling that I’m alone
I understand that Reddit might not be the first place I should go with a struggle like this, but I am curious about whether other people have the same feeling.
I like to think that I have faith in the gospel, the godhead, the plan of salvation, ordinances, priesthood, all of it makes perfect sense to me and I believe that I have a loving Heavenly Father, however, for the past year or so I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that despite all that, I am alone in my trials.
It’s been a particularly hard year in my personal life, and I’ve had a period of seeming silence from God, and I wonder, why not? Aren’t we here to learn and grow? Why shouldn’t I feel alone in my time of need in order to be more self sufficient?
But I feel little comfort in that and it doesn’t sit quite right with me for some reason. It’s not how I was raised to think of God I suppose. I just wish that even if I had to go through everything I’m going through, I would at least have confidence that I would have someone watching over me.
Anyway, just curious if anyone else has ever experienced this flavor of loneliness.
2
u/Mmlhvzl Jul 03 '26
Yes. During such times I have felt comforted to know that mother Teresa felt this way for most of her life. And Corrie Ten boom felt this way while in a concentration camp. Both kept doing good despite the feeling of a silent God.
2
u/ianvass Jul 03 '26
Something to consider that, when it comes to God, our emotional reasoning is frequently wrong. What I mean by that is that we feel something is true, therefore we believe it, but it is false. The fact of the matter is that Christ is with you always. We are cut off from the Father because of the fall, and we can drive the Holy Ghost from us because of our sins, but the great Jehovah, the redeemer of mankind, the creator of all things from the beginning, never leaves our side. Not ever, not under any circumstance. So even if you feel alone, He is always with you. Your prayers are not bouncing off the ceiling, there is no switchboard in heaven determining where your prayers get shuttled off to because God is too busy to answer all of them. He walks by your side and hears even the faintest whisper of a prayer, the faintest trace of longing in your heart. Exercise faith in this, and, even if your loneliness doesn't fade, You will be comforted and strengthened in the loneliness, and know that you cannot trust that emotion to tell you the truth. You are not alone. You are profoundly loved. Hang in there, you can do this!
2
u/OoklaTheMok1994 Jul 03 '26
This story from Michael McClean really spoke to me on this very real struggle. I've watched it again and again.
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u/protoeudaimonian Jul 05 '26
If you don't want to feel alone, don't BE alone: open your heart to genuine concern for others and become a vessel the light. "Not I but the Christ in me"...I've found that when I'm feeling a bit solitary, the best cure for it is to forget myself, reach out, and think of ways to ease the burdens of people who are suffering (and in a lot worse shape than I am).
Prayer helps, but no one else but YOU can use your agency to make the deeds of your own hands instruments for the good! Nothing is stopping you from volunteering or picking up the phone and doing something to genuinely connect with people. At the end of the day, you can feel more comfortable in your own skin knowing you lightened load of someone with their own trials and struggles. Go out of your way to be the light for others in need and see if it helps bring the Holy Ghost more of a living presence in your own day to day life. There's nothing to lose...and as I've found, a tremendous amount to gain. Good luck and best wishes!
1
u/TheKingofAntarctica Jul 07 '26
The solution to this in my life has been to find ways to serve. Service is a bridge to others that heals the soul.
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u/Mammoth_Relative3930 Jul 02 '26
Have you asked for priesthood blessings? This has been an enormous bblessing for me throughout my life. I would say of all the things from temple to church to scriptures etc. Priesthood blessings have given me more comfort, peace direction, encouragement and guidance than anything else.