N
ow that I'm well into the second half of my
life, I can look back and see many mountains
and valleys on the path I've taken. If the moun-
tains have been those times when I experienced
joy and success, then it stands to reason that
the valleys were those times when I experienced
pain and loss.
Come to think of it, as I consider those low points, I'm
struck by the fact that in each case I can think of,
I was alone.
The fact that I was alone probably added to my despair.
And if I recall a bit further, only when someone lovingly
came alongside me did my condition improve. Sometimes
slowly, but it improved.
In Jesus' darkest hour, prior to His crucifixion, He
went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Leaving most
of His disciples behind, He took three a little further
with Him to stay close while He confronted the agony of
His destiny.
No one should suffer alone... not even Jesus. But He did.
The Bible instructs us to care for those who are hurt-
ing by coming alongside, offering prayer and whatever we
can to lighten their load (James 5:14).
I suspect than many of you have felt very much alone
at some point or another. You may even be suffering
right now.
Your loneliness may be compounded by the appearance
of a dreaded medical condition. Perhaps you are at the
end of your financial or emotional rope. Maybe relation-
ships you've once cherished have disappeared.
It would probably be fair to say that the reverse is also
be true: Your situation is compounded by your loneliness.
This doesn't have to be. Jesus knows what it is like to
be alone. Bone-chillingly alone. And He died so that you
wouldn't have to be.
Tomorrow is so uncertain. Although God doesn't prom-
ise you a tomorrow, He does promise you an eternity, if
you only accept His free gift of salvation through Christ.
All you need to do is believe that even in the toughest
of times, He is there for you.
Always has been.
Major Frank Duracher is divisional secretary for Maryland and
West Virginia.
Coming
Home
............
THE ABCs of
Visit us online at www.thewarcry.com. Visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1�800�SAL�ARMY
to learn more about Salvation Army programs, disaster relief initiatives and donation options.
Admit Your Need
"For all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God"
(Romans 3:23)
Believe in Christ
"Believe in the Lord Jesus,
and you will be saved"
(Acts 16:31)
Commit Yourself to Christ
"Yet to all who received Him ... He gave
the right to become children of God"
(John 1:12)
Being truly sorry for your sins, and through the
power of Christ forsaking them, go for ward to live
for Christ. He will give forgiveness, power, victory,
purpose, the Holy Spirit and life eternal.
FOR
FURT
HER
ASSIS
TANC
E,
Pleas
e Con
tact
Us by
Retu
rning
This R
eply
Form
To: EDITOR IN CHIEF
SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS
615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314
As a reader of
The War Cry, I am interested in the following:
Your prayers
Follow�up counseling by a Salvationist
Bible study suggestions
Receiving
The War Cry regularly
Information on how to become a Salvationist
Address of the nearest Salvation Army corps
Information on how to receive Christ as my Savior
I received Christ as Savior by reading the
War Cry
Please Print:
Name
__________________________________________________________________
Address
________________________________________________________________
City
________________________________________
State
_______
Zip
______________
Phone
_____________________________
Email
_________________ _______________
MARCH 2014
MAY 2014
Few Battles Are
Won Alone