Loneliness
Even when surrounded by a crowd, we can feel lonely. Sooner or later, each of us will experience loneliness. We might have a trial that no one else understands, or we may be physically alone. Whatever the circumstances that precipitate the emotion, God has a remedy for the sorrow! The greatest consolation to our loneliness is the fact that God is with us.
Hebrews 13:5-6 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. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
The writer of Hebrews gives God’s promise of His presence as the solution for feelings of discontent and covetousness! If we are honest, we will realize that our loneliness is a great feeling of discontent. It is a longing for fellowship that we don’t have. The more we ponder our solitude, the more discontent we become. The covetousness of loneliness can quickly become bitterness. But God instructs us to be content with His presence! This lesson is vital to our spiritual health.
If God is present (and we know He is), why is it that we feel alone? I wonder if it is because we don’t talk with Him? The person that feels alone in a room full of people only feels that way if they are not conversing with others. I believe that conversation prevents loneliness. That is why I encourage lonely people to call their friends and talk. If I am thinking of others and engaging them in conversation, it takes my mind off myself and proves to me that I am not alone at all. If I talk with God and listen to Him, it will accomplish the same thing! Prayer and Bible reading have many benefits, the primary being that we are able to fellowship with our loving heavenly Father.
Loneliness is a matter of poor thinking. Robin Marantz Henig is a free-lance writer for New York Times magazine, and she makes this statement: “People grow lonely because of the gloomy stories they tell themselves.” (from online blog Op-Talk by the New York Times)
I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. When we are feeling lonely, we probably are alone, to a degree. But as Christians we are never truly alone. The conversation we have within our heart makes all the difference. If I tell myself, “Nobody knows my situation. Nobody cares about me. I am all by myself in this circumstance,” then I will obviously feel bad about it. If, however, I choose to encourage myself, I will remind myself that God is always with me. I can bare my soul to Him at any time, and especially need to do so when I am discouraged or dismayed! He loves me and is always with me, so He will lift me up! David has recorded for us many Psalms that begin with feelings of discouragement, but as he focuses on God, each Psalm turns away from sorrow and into joy that comes only from the Lord.
As an example, consider Psalm 13. He obviously was feeling low, forgotten and forsaken, yet he chose to trust God, rejoice, and even sing! When he talked with God, he became encouraged.
Dear Christian, when you feel lonely, look to God for encouragement. Tell him your woes as the Psalmist did, then place your faith in Him, His mercy, love and goodness.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, choose to revel in the goodness of God!
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.