God Has Alot to Say About Loneliness

"Look for yourself  and you will find loneliness and despair. But look for Christ, and you will find Him and everything else."  -C.S. Lewis

Recently, a Gallup poll said that four out of ten Americans admit to frequent feelings of loneliness. Millions of individuals suffer from the distress of isolation, the feeling that no one really knows them, and worse, no one cares. They're tormented by the crushing thought that they are alone in their world.

For most of us loneliness is a temporary feeling, for far too many it is a constant, persistent experience. It’s also the root cause of many other emotional issues including: depression, anxiety, and anger, to name just a few. There's no age, marital or family stage that is immune to loneliness. It can strike anyone from a small child to a senior citizen.

One thing is for certain though, loneliness is a common human experience. Meaning that all of us, whether single or married, whether for a short period of time or for an extended season, deal with loneliness. We often define loneliness in physical, or emotional terms. Or, we think loneliness can be defined by the absence of people whether physically or emotionally.

So then, what is loneliness? Could it be some form of being introverted? Maybe it's just a pattern of shyness? Perhaps loneliness might be defined this way: a feeling of separation, isolation; or distance in human relationships. Loneliness implies emotional pain to some degree, an empty feeling, and a yearning to feel understood and accepted by someone.

Now, although feelings of loneliness can be intensified when a person is alone, being alone is not the same as loneliness. Times of solitude can be healthy for us, particularly spiritually. Many of us thrive in solitude. Speaking for myself, I enjoy my times spent in solitude with Christ.

However, some of the loneliest people you'll ever meet are married, or have large families, or work for large companies. On the other hand, some of the most content individuals you will encounter, live and work virtually alone. Therefore, while solitude is the state of being alone; it's not the same as loneliness. The fact is that you can be alone without being lonely, and lonely without being alone.

Even the apostle Paul experienced loneliness (2 Timothy 4:9-18).  Here, besides sharing about his loneliness, Paul speaks about the sense of loss that comes from people that he cared about being gone. Some who had disappointed him, some that circumstances had taken away, and others that had relationally not turned out the way he wanted to.

As you recall, Jesus had moments of loneliness, too. Remember, scripture says that he was tempted the same as you and I. He knew all the things that we have to deal with, and one of the things we have to deal with is loneliness. And because he knew this, he had to deal with it.

In the garden of Gethsemane he asked some of the disciples to come watch with him as he tried to work through the things that were going on in his heart. And what happened? They fell asleep! He said, “Couldn't you watch with me?” (Mark 14: 37). Of course, this all reached a climax later on the cross when he said, “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

Maybe it was something that he did for us. The point is, scripture doesn't shy away from the reality of loneliness. The good news is (and this is what the word Gospel means, "good news"), what Christ gave us: the ability to deal with loneliness. When he says, “I’m going to make you free” and then, “free indeed,” he’s including loneliness (John 8:36). We get free of our sin, we can get free of our mistakes, we can get free of our fears. Yes, we can even get free of our loneliness!

A loving God doesn't want any of us to suffer; and He definitely doesn't want any of us to be lonely. Romans 8:28 tells us that "God uses all things for the good of those who love him." This includes our loneliness. Our loneliness leads us to our deepest spiritual need, who is Christ.

Look, no one likes to feel alone. I think that deep down inside all of us want to be loved and be with other people. In fact, one of the earliest words of God in the book of Genesis is that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). In the end, keep in mind that God’s word has a lot to say about loneliness. You're not alone. God created us to have a relationship with us.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:1; Psalm 147:3; Psalm 27:10; Hebrews 13:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, there are times in everyone's life when there is no one. Bless all who suffer from loneliness. Enrich their life with a friend, or gentle stranger who will spend a moment attentively and lovingly; because it is in those times where your love shines through, the world is reborn, and Christ is known. Amen.

God loves you!

Makennah