How Loneliness Can Draw You Closer to Jesus (Part 1) - Ruth Graham

Loneliness is like an ache and often we feel ashamed to admit that we feel lonely. Ruth Graham shares national statistics about how half of American adults feel lonely, and how loneliness can affect us emotionally and physiologically. Ruth describes her 4 failed marriages and how her father, Billy, was very gracious and forgiving of her mistakes. Part of Ruth’s loneliness stemmed from missing her father as a child. She relates the Bible story of Hagar and how God sees us when we’re lonely, and she described the value of having community. On day 2, Ruth shares more stories about Bible characters who learned importance lessons in their loneliness - David, Daniel, and Abraham. Then Ruth shares her favorite memory about a lonely Christmas where her husband went on a hunting trip, but she found ways to express her gratitude and even worship to the Lord. Ruth describes some dangerous responses to loneliness, and she explains how solitude is better than loneliness, but it’s a choice we have to make in our perspective.
Get the book, Transforming Loneliness: bit.ly/3yrtTTD
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[@shellbellbutterfly]

Most believers aren't ACTUALLY Born Again (never had the John 14 Salvation transformation to RECEIVE The INDWELLING Holy Spirit power & healing). I called myself a Christian for 30 YEARS, but wasn't saved or FOLLOWING CHRIST, at ALL. My suffering certainly brought me to my knees to FINALLY seek CHRIST with my WHOLE HEART & He did InDEED manifest Himself to me & I felt the washing over/cleansing & INDWELLING of The Holy Spirit. Astounding, miraculous forgiveness, healing & His direction. SO amazing. Blessings in FOLLOWING CHRIST.🙏🏻👣👣

[@rowenaharding5007]

Gods love reached over the world. I’m about to have back surgery in 1 week. My children live in another state. I live alone after separating from my second husband. Your kind honesty lifts me up tonight

[@YosemiteLee]

@Rowenaharding5007 I lift you up to the Father and pray for a successful back surgery with help afterwards. Peace, healing and comfort accompany you. Unexpected divine appointments and moments of revelation help you towards recovery, In Jesus name, Amen

[@lilivalencia3575]

Lord we come in the name of Jesus we thank you for our sister we lift her up to you that you will be with her during surgery and her doctors we pray for a successful surgery successful recovery in Jesus name Amen.

[@ladya3038]

🤗

[@ritafrankel7420]

I am very lonely, i can't handle this no more, very lonely, please pray for me 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@JoeCisneros]

Rita, sister, I am struggling with loneliness, too. I will pray with you.

[@saints82]

Prayed for you Rita & will continue💞

[@daughterofthemosthigh3366]

Praying for you!

[@diannematthews1113]

Rita, I am praying for you. ❤

[@rosemarielowder7454]

I am praying for you. I too am lonely

[@user-jb9dj7os4x]

Loneliness has always been a part of my life.

[@juliannerivera3021]

I saw this. You're not alone

[@focusonthefamily]

Dear friend. If you ever need a listening ear or prayer, feel free to talk with one of our counselors (at no cost to you) at 855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays between 6 A.M. and 8 P.M. (MT). May God help you remember that He is always with you. “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge” (Psalm 73:28).- Jocelyn C.

[@ladya3038]

Jesus says...he will never leave nor forsake you.🤗 The enemy wants you to believe you're alone.

[@jodie3671]

Wow, to hear this from the daughter of Billy Graham gives me hope.

[@AJ-gd1ww]

Thank you to Ruth Graham and Focus on the Family. I feel seen and heard.

[@melissakarinelachi5191]

This woman is so powerful and beautiful. I truly admire her a lot. I would love to meet her in person one day. ❤

[@chrisbajema8002]

I love the reach metaphor! I’m reaching up and out daily and I don’t feel like I’m going it alone anymore

[@chell3678]

Love this! In a season of loneliness and grief! Such an encouraging message. I will truly find a way to serve the Lord and reach out.

[@jerrylawless5962]

You are so right Loneliness can draw you closer to Jesus and can be a great blessing

[@jennifersutherland3962]

I will buy the book that Ruth has written about this topic. I am chilean, 75 years old and I continue working teaching english. Now I am with a psychologist to help me to have a better, happier, lovely life than it has been until now. Hugs and a lot of love for you both. Thanks Ruth

[@Davidtibi4353]

Being left alone isn’t the worst thing you can have happen. Being in the midst of a world full of people and feeling truly alone is worse. Jesus said “I am only in the world not of it” I have arrived at that place where I’m secure in my solitude that Christ is always by my side and there is nothing more I need. Being alone has it’s merits

[@harterwind5032]

Wow! I greatly admire and respect her vulnerability! Listen to her I feel connected . Beauty out of ashes. I absolutely love how openly she reflects on her life and most importantly points towards Jesus. This is exactly what the Lord is teaching me : To have peace and comfort in HIM Alone. And out of love live a life that honors him and by his grace overcome sin. I absolutely can’t do it out of my own but he most certainly is able. I really do pray for all those who commented.

[@Meadow-qe9xd]

This interview is so encouraging ❤🙏🏻

[@Jesusjunkie402]

Timely, just what I needed. Thank you LORD🙏

[@focusonthefamily]

We're glad you found this helpful. If there is anything else we can do, don't hesitate to reach out. May God bless you! - Corey S.

[@izziegirl6871]

I think pride keeps us from admitting loneliness, I know that's true for me. I am grateful for anything that draws me closer to my Jesus! This lady is humble and wise, I really appreciate her.

[@anne-mariehallwyler1065]

A deep long aching of being a little off and feeling completely incomplete!

[@micheleandrews4779]

Thanks to Ruth for sharing her heart. Will help so many!!❤️

[@NiRaSis]

Im sorry you had to go through what you went through. Genuinely. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@hippiegirl5167]

We have Jesus with us but we need human contact and someone to talk to . Adam needed Eve because he was lonely. I live alone most of the time my husband works away . I like being by myself but at times I hate it .

[@yvonnerahui8729]

We are the Body of Christ & we need each other. We are living stones fittly joined together..reach out. Invite some ladies for a cuppa..or just one. Learn how to play Rummikub & have ones around..its hood for tge brain too. Don't stay alone..someone probably needs you too. We grow with & from each other.. rubbing up against & sorting our attitudes our..our sensitive feelings, our insecurities, our pride, our selfishness, unkindness etc. We are to grow up into Christ and we do it together..with no looking our nose down at the seeming unlovely. I sat with a christian woman who seemed a little too friendly(just cause I wasn't in the mood this day but I wasn't never going to be rude. Well she just wanted to talk..told me how she'd seen Jesus. Then she told me that she was a Christian..and slightly autistic, and she'd seen Jesus! She went on to explain how & where & when. But I found myself enjoying a,good chat with her & would enjoy to at our place of fellowship.

[@therapyrf]

Thank you so much for opening up and being vulnerable and honest this is so helpful. I myself have struggled with this and been a therapist for 25 years. I can say that most of the people that come to therapy that underlining issue is that they’re extremely lonely.this is really inspiring me to do more about this.

[@merlynguillermo3920]

Thank Ruth for sharing your life. You’re so authentic. Love listening to your testimony. I met your sister Anne.

[@pamelaburns122]

Yes, and I definitely want to meet Ruth Graham more than any other Lady, except maybe Beth Moore 🥰.

[@gladysvogel9442]

The Lord showed me one time long ago, that I might be Lonely, BUT IM NEVER ALONE, BECAUSE HE SAID I WILL NEVER LEAVE NOR FORSAKE YOU!! THAT DID IT FOR ME!! HALLELUYAH!! PRAISE THE NAME IF JESUS!!❤

[@user-nu4gm3rl3y]

Amen ! Ruth 🙏

[@jennifersutherland3962]

It is so lovely, encouraging listening to you both. I cry a lot but so emotioned!!!!!!

[@NeeniesNest]

I’m so grateful for your story, so similar to mine. Now I’m walking with my young adult grandson going through this, who has so many reasons to feel abandoned.

[@jennifersutherland3962]

I live in Santiago de Chile since 1998, after getting divorced I came back to Chile after living in Spain for many, may years and always living alone, just a couple of years ago I began to feel comfortable with me myself.

[@jodybrand3076]

Service does work! 🙌🙌🙌

[@karenortega2046]

I too have been through psychological Abuse… to the point I thought I was going mad. Loneliness after two failed marriages and one long term relationship I’m sitting here wondering why I can’t find a partner who loves me to pieces. I am fully lovable but I choose those who are unavailable like my mother. I acknowledge this is part of the reason it’s like revisiting childhood all over again. It makes me sad though but also I started to feel a call To reach to something bigger then myself so I won’t feel Lonely anymore❤

[@daisytoromanzano8865]

Hi. Sorry to hear. Didi you accept that jesus died for your sins, that he rise at the third day and that he is coming back to judge and he is your love of your life?

[@focusonthefamily]

We’re sorry to read about the difficulties you’re facing, friend. But remember, you’re not alone. God sees your pain and loves you deeply. We encourage you to trust in His plan for your life. We’re praying for you. And if you would like to talk about your circumstances with one of our counselors, please give us a call at 855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays between 6 A.M. and 8 P.M. (MT). God bless you. -Paige W.

[@lawrencefoster5608]

A Christian man was put in a prison way below group for years and he has a book sharing how the Lord got him through it.

[@angie_myhre]

What an awesome video

[@cynthiawilliams737]

I have always been a "people person" I enjoy being with people and my husband is the opposite when we go to a family event I have to encourage him to talk & mingle I'm not willing to sit there & be quiet with him usually that is his choice I want to catch-up on others lives!

[@trishtomlin9431]

I’ve been listening to Focus on the Family for years but this is the first time seeing your faces! Love your ministry.

[@focusonthefamily]

Thanks for your interest in our ministry, friend! We’re blessed by your friendship and support. If you ever need a listening ear, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1‐800‐232‐6459. God’s richest blessings to you! -Mia J.

[@verlaschupbach8102]

CC would be so helpful here. For those of us that have hearing dissabilities, CC makes all the difference. I had to forgo this, because I couldn't understand what was being said. PLEASE include CC in these videos.

[@focusonthefamily]

We're sorry we don’t have the resources to add captions to most of our videos at this time. Our digital team is working on this. In the meantime, please know that there are written transcripts for most of our programs here - bit.ly/3N9BcC9. We hope this is helpful, Verla.

[@karleneflores9300]

I believe that’s is why Jethro took Moses wife and children to him. You can lose focus on your family for ministry. Blessings!

[@user-wn2wv3xf4p]

Extremely lonely i am pleaee prsy for me

[@jodybrand3076]

Lord, I pray your love, peace and care. Bring a sense of belonging with you and bring friendships. In Jesus name!

[@dominiquerivero6611]

It was never unsafe to gather. We drew back in fear.

[@noracoyle4988]

I'm very lonely I don't have friends or family either.

[@jodybrand3076]

Lord, I pray you would minister love and care and lift the loneliness. Bring friendships. In Jesus name! 🙌

[@katg5369]

@@jodybrand3076I agree with this!

[@sw9868]

Everyday father unintentionally neglect their family for their work. Billy Grahamv was no different. Dysfunction and its repercussions affect every family... famous or not.

[@stevevasilica6187]

❤

[@anovino1992]

Incorrect, Sarah was the one who gave hagar to her husband as her handmaid. To bare a child with het, Abraham got so much blame, while Sarah is saintitfied.

[@bonniehuff3901]

There were people that struggle with depression in the Bible I done research

[@mandohoney]

i have no friends...

[@Z28videogates]

@11:17 - abandonment issues do indeed cause people to latch onto narcissists. Sad but prioritizing the ministry instead of your family does have a cost. Maybe Billy Graham should not of considered being a traveling preacher if he was to have a family. Someone will pay the price for it, in this case it was her. Same thing happened to Rick Warren. Also as much as we all love Billy Graham, it is actually possible he was a narcissist. People who really understand narcissism might agree. Not all narcissists are bad. His narcissistic supply may have been his ministry itself. Just a thought.

[@daisytoromanzano8865]

No everyone there at says Lord, Lord will inherit the kingdom. Abba doesn’t measure how famous preacher you were but how much you really loved others, how tu put others first and that start with your family first and to be obedient to Him not others when you were in this life.

[@katg5369]

I think Bro Graham had some realization of this because he admitted in a interview that he shouldn’t have taken some of the engagements he took. He was too humble to be as toxic as I’ve seen others.

[@daisytoromanzano8865]

@@katg5369 what are your thoughts about pre, mid or post tribulation rapture?