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    The Beginning of Solitude
    The Beginning of Solitude
    The Beginning of Solitude
    Ebook93 pages1 hour

    The Beginning of Solitude

    By Ricky Parker

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    About this ebook

    'You are loved' and 'You are not alone in feeling alone'; two popular phrases, but do they have any value to a person going through deep pain and helplessness? Does it feel like God is not near when trials and tribulations destroy any semblance of a normal life?

    In modern society, politics, social media, entertainment, and the news dominate the way people think and feel. But how are people supposed to express their hidden struggles and frustrations without persecution and humiliation?

     

    The Beginning of Solitude is an empathetic look at the troubles most people face but cannot disclose. Using biblical references and personal observations, the book looks for ways to give encouragement and sympathy to those who feel lonely, go through anxiety, feel invisible, dismayed by a broken society and for the many who cannot find purpose.

     

    God is there through every storm and He is there to love unconditionally. It may be trying times now, but God is near to the broken-hearted and gives peace to those in peril.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRicky Parker
    Release dateJan 26, 2021
    ISBN9781941834169
    The Beginning of Solitude
    Author

    Ricky Parker

    Ricky Parker is the author of The Beginning of Solitude. He received his Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance and his 2nd Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Ricky lives in Maryland, where he works in finance by day, but enjoys writing on topics of sociology, theology, and philosophy by night. He has an eclectic taste in music, a fan of comedy, and a good listener. More information and his audioblog can be found at www.loveandperseverance.com

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      Book preview

      The Beginning of Solitude - Ricky Parker

      This book is dedicated to anyone struggling in today’s society. I hope this book helps you find solace and empathy in a world full of cruelty, apathy, and deceit.

      Copyright © 2021 Authored By Ricky Parker

      All rights reserved.

      ISBN: 978-1-941834-16-9

      Introduction

      Chapter 1. Insignificance and Insufficiency

      A Yearning for Better

      Sufficiency

      Social Ineptitude

      The Concept of Faith

      Chapter 2. Loneliness and Despair

      How Long, O Lord?

      Daydreaming

      Our Response to Rejection

      Apathy and Avoidance

      Hiding Our Pain

      Despair or Perseverance

      Positive Steps

      Worry

      Helplessness

      Deep Despair

      Worth

      Chapter 3. Society and Broken Connection

      Pride

      Contention

      Cynicism

      Arrogance

      Resentment

      Chapter 4. Our Burdens to Bear

      Fruits of The Spirit

      Old Friends

      Giving to Others

      Worry for a Loved One

      A Strong Church

      Yearning for a Relationship

      Chapter 5. Hope, Faith and Love

      The Christian Life

      Listening

      Submission to God

      Our Tenacious Love for God

      Introduction

      Have you ever wondered when the struggle would ever end? Do you feel helpless and hopeless when trials and tribulations devastate your life? Do you feel isolated and alone during the hardest times when you just need a friend or a shoulder to cry on? You try everything to live a moral and ethical life, but injustice, failure, fear, doubt, and mistakes always distort our vision of the perfect life. You envision a positive path to a successful life, only for everything to turn upside down.

      You hide the pain you toil with everything so that people cannot see your insecurities and ineptitude. You cannot suppress the disappointment and unforgiveness for those who abandon you, reject you, exploit you, and demean you. You look at a divided and demented world and wonder is there any kindness or goodness anymore. Even though you may hold on to the last slither of hope, understand that God is near, and that hope is prevalent.

      This book details a period in my life when everything went wrong and I lost everything—my job, my house, my relationship, my friends, and my sanity. It was a troubling time and a time when the only thing they kept me going was the love of God and a hope for His provision. This book is a collection of blog posts, essays, and personal observations during that difficult period. In these writings, the hope is that you will not feel alone in your despair, agony, hurt and depression. The purpose is to know God, look at difficulties objectively, and understand that God will be there. Everyone goes through dark times. Never believe the lie that you must suffer in silence or that no one cares about your pain. God understands your pain. God will lead you on the right path. God will empower you, despite your mistakes and shortcomings. God loves you unconditionally and will never condemn you. I hope that this book is an empathetic look at the struggles you face, and that joy comes in the morning.

      Chapter 1. Insignificance and Insufficiency

      A Yearning for Better

      In life, confront the things that limit your ability to succeed. For me, the biggest challenge that has affected my life is chronic loneliness. Loneliness has led to a plethora of coping mechanisms: sexual immorality, alcohol, and gluttony. Emotionally, I'm fearful, angry, depressed, socially awkward, and anxiety stricken. Loneliness has become a significant burden on my life, but there must be a way to get rid of this major block. What has made matters worse is that I have grown angry at the church, as some churchgoers are just as jaded, judgmental, and superficial as people of ill-repute. 

      But in this lonely journey, I had to look at myself and what is essential in life. I want a wife, success, recognition, and a certain standard of living, but so does everyone else on earth. As a Christian, I must uplift the kingdom. It is hard to differ from others, to not have the charisma and resources others have, but God has a purpose in my life. He has saved me from many daunting situations. In this season, He will prepare me for His will. For me, I have to pray. 

      I need Christ more than ever. I love people, and I love hearing and seeing different angles from all human beings. I pray to the Father that I may be a blessing to others. Loneliness, in most aspects, is self-inflicted errors and self-obsession. Again, it would be satisfying to have what others have regarding love, friendships, and financial stability, but I must grow in faith and seek godly counsel and associations. 

      In this period, I pray that I may develop godly characteristics in strength and wisdom. I pray in Christ's name to cleanse me of superficial ideas of what validates happiness. Joy in Christ, His universal love, His grace, and His power within me is what brings forth fruit. A wife, a child, a car, a safe career, and a title can all fade away. I pray as well to reach out to all people, that they all might see Christ and they all witness His love. I pray for Christ to work fervently in my life. 

      Sufficiency

      Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee - Hebrews 13:5

      Singleness can be extremely difficult. We want to believe we are decent individuals and yearn for the opportunity to be with a partner who understands us and can empathize with us. We

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