The Lord is Near the Lonely

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

Today, as I was finishing this post, I received a call from a dear ministry wife who expressed frustration about her place in ministry. She even felt bad for having these feelings and expressed her frustration with herself for having said feelings. Ministry is hard. Ministry life can be frustrating and lonely—even when it’s not going badly. My point is that we are not alone in our frustrations concerning ministry. 

Have you ever been there? 

While her feelings were not wrong or invalid, you and I have few opportunities for safe places or people who will allow us to process our frustrations. These emotions and frustrations can lead to loneliness when not processed with another like-minded woman or a safe space. 

Loneliness can be a painful part of ministry life. 

Loneliness can be an unexpected reality for a new and young ministry wife. 

As a ministry wife, you may feel isolated—whether due to the weight of expectations, the difficulty of forming deep friendships, or the constant need to pour into others while rarely being poured into yourself. The very people you serve may not fully understand the burdens you carry, and at times, you may wonder if anyone truly sees or appreciates you.

But in those moments of loneliness, God sees you. He understands the ache of feeling alone. Jesus Himself experienced loneliness—when His disciples fell asleep in His hour of need when the crowds misunderstood Him. Ultimately, when He cried out on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Because He has walked that path, He meets you in yours.

Psalm 34:18 reminds us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted. Loneliness does not mean you are forgotten. It is an invitation to draw near to the One who never leaves nor forsakes you. Instead of letting loneliness define your ministry, let it deepen your dependence on Christ.

Encouragement for Today:

• Seek His Presence: Use moments of loneliness as reminders to turn to God in prayer and Scripture. Let Him fill the empty spaces with His love. Isaiah 26:3
• Find Safe Community: Ask God to bring kindred spirits into your life—whether other ministry wives, a trusted mentor, or a small group of godly women who understand your journey. Psalm 37:3
• Rest in Your Calling: Your work matters even when you feel unseen. God sees every sacrifice, every prayer, every moment you give in love. Your faithfulness is not unnoticed by Him.

Pray this with me:

Lord, in moments of loneliness, remind me that You are near. Help me to seek You first, finding my worth and comfort in Your presence. Strengthen my heart when I feel unseen, and surround me with people who encourage and uplift my spirit. Let me find a ministry wife (someone with skin on) to understand and hold me accountable for processing all these emotions, but then keep my focus on You! Let my loneliness draw me deeper into Your love, knowing You are my refuge and my constant companion. In Jesus’ Name, the One who understands me more than anyone, Amen.