I felt completely alone. I was unemployed and ashamed of my foolish acts that had cost me my job. Not one of my former colleagues had even called to ask how I was doing. Then I got a message from a friend two states away who knew nothing of my situation. She said she had begun praying for me daily. Then I got another message, and another. Even though my situation had not changed, I gained strength knowing that God had nudged others to stand with me in my trouble.

In the Bible, Elijah was depressed and lonely, as I was; he was also in danger! Ahab and Jezebel had vowed to kill him because he had stood for the Lord against the prophets of Ba'al. He was in hiding, alone. What a great gift it must have been when God told him that there were 7,000 people in Israel who also had not bowed to Ba'al! Knowing this army was standing with him helped him summon the courage to go on.

We each have times when we feel utterly helpless and alone. Others bless us by showing us that we are not. At other times, we bring God's gift of support and encouragement to them. Just as we have all felt alone, someone we know is in that position right now, needing to hear from us.