Lessons from Ecclesiastes

"What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again." Ecclesiastes 3:15

I think we all go through things in the this life where we feel as if we are the only ones who have ever experienced this situation and that nobody could ever possibly understand what we are going through. We tend the believe that our circumstances are unique to us. The truth is that our circumstance is not new, and someone along the line (more than likely many people along the line) have gone through this same thing. I also think that this is a tool the devil uses to make us isolate ourselves and prevent us from reaching out to others. We think that nobody understands what we are going through so we keep it to ourselves and in turn we are missing out on the blessing and encouragement a friend can bring us. "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 10 Having people in your life, people that you trust, that you can open up to and share things with is a real blessing in times of hardship. I remember there have been times when I have been dealing with something that I felt nobody would understand so I kept it to myself. Or in some cases, I was embarrassed about whatever it was I was going through and didn't want to admit my struggle so again I kept it to myself. There have been other times though that I have opened up and shared my burdens with some of my dearest trusted friends and let me tell you, the times when I have shared my burden with a friend have been so much easier to go through than when I try to do it alone. I have also found that most likely one of my friends has already gone through something similar and can be such a great source of encouragement and hope for me!
So remember, don't isolate yourself or try to bear burdens alone. God gave us each other so we could help one another when one of us is in need. And remember, you are NOT alone!