Left out by my friends

I have a group of friends. They go to the same school and lately I feel closed off from them like extremely excluded, and it hurts me.

2 of the girls came from my old school and 1 of those 2 I've known since kindergarten. The others i just met last year and this year. The one i met last year i had problems with but they're cleared up. Basically they spend more time together and leave me out of things and they go places outside of school together. Any advice?

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It sounds like you've been going through a hard time with your friends lately. It's hard when people let us down and aren't there for us like we'd want them to be. I've gone through different times with certain friends where I don't feel as close to them either. It's hard because although we want to trust in people, no matter how close a friend they are, they will probably still disappoint us at some time. No human or created thing can completely fill our deepest longings and desires. Only God can.

Here are some verses in Psalm 62:5-8 that are comforting to me:

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge."

Don't forget to also "pour out your heart to God". Even though it doesn't seem like the same thing as talking to someone with skin, I have found that God is the only one able to bring healing into my life.

I've also found journaling helpful. It helps me sort through all the thoughts and craziness going on in my head! Otherwise it seems like all those thoughts just keep going in circles.

I've had other girls say that they are afraid to journal their deepest thoughts, that someone might find their journal and read it. If that's the case, I just recommend to write it out and then afterwards, rip it up and destroy it. It will still help you to write it out even if you just end up getting rid of the paper afterwards :)

I've found that it has been through my most painful times in life that I've grown closest to God. I wish it wouldn't have to be that way, but I'm always grateful for the changes it brings in me for the better. Just know you aren't alone and there is always hope!

Another encouraging verse to me is Psalm 90:14. It says, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

It just reminds me that God truly is able to satisfy me...that no created person or thing will ever be able to satisfy the deepest longings in my heart like God can.

Praying for you,
Shelley