There's one who is reveling in it though -- the enemy. It fits right in with his isolation tactics. He loves to isolate us. He loves to get us alone, locked in mentally and physically. He gets us alone and starts telling us no one understands us, no one understands what we're going through, no one even notices.
And if we start believing him, he cackles in the most evil way. The "he" is the devil and the devil is the father of lies and the enemy of God and all God loves (so that includes you and me).
Realizing we aren't alone gives us a better perspective than isolation does. When we realize what we're feeling, what we're dealing with is felt by others, we can encourage each other. We can see we will get through it. Others have. Others will. We will too.
I was at a friend's house the other night and we briefly touched on the subject of unpaid bills. We both have a lot of them, and we know we will pay them but for now they go unpaid. I've been in this situation before (many times) but when I was a lot younger I thought I was the only one and it devastated me. I'd condemn myself. I'd think life was over. I'd think I was the worst person on earth. Now I know I am in good company. I'm pretty sure there are more people who can't pay their bills on time then there are people who can. It's great to be in the latter group but the former group is reality for many. And when we know that, we realize it is going to be okay.
Hardship is common to humanity. We all will deal with it. Keeping it to ourselves can have very bad consequences. Thinking we are the only ones suffering can have very bad consequences for us mentally and emotionally -- even physically. Complaining doesn't help but coming alongside each other does. Helping when we can help; praying when we can pray; listening when we can listen -- all of these are small kindnesses that will have huge impact.
Plus, in sharing our burdens we can laugh about them. We all need to laugh. We all need to take ourselves less seriously and God a lot more seriously. Take God at His word. He says He will provide. Believe Him. God says He loves you. Believe Him. God says He has the answers. Believe Him. Trust Him. Look to Him. Lean on Him.
We will get through this winter. You will get through that hardship. You will. It isn't the end. Today is a new day. The sun came up and it is beautiful. Let God and your dear ones lessen your burden. God will take the edge off it and you can hope, truly hope, in Him.
"This I command you, that you love one another." John 15:17