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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[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!❤

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@melissakarinelachi5191]

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

[@micheleandrews4779]

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

[@Meadow-qe9xd]

This interview is so encouraging ❤🙏🏻

[@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.

[@NiRaSis]

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

[@trishtomlin9431]

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

[@anne-mariehallwyler1065]

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

[@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 🥰.

[@user-nu4gm3rl3y]

Amen ! Ruth 🙏

[@jodybrand3076]

Service does work! 🙌🙌🙌

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@kathleenwharton2139]

This is True! Jesus Loves ❤Me. He is All I Need. 😊❤

[@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!

[@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.

[@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! 🙌

[@stevevasilica6187]

❤

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.