Loneliness

“Leave me alone!” A common command that comes from both adults and even children. It can cause us to pull away. We think it's a truthful request—we don’t understand that the problem is loneliness. Often we assume if someone is alone, it is where they want to be.

However, when we experience real loneliness, it becomes clear that this is a serious issue. The death of a loved one, moving to a new city, it can cause us to isolate ourselves, because of anger or disappointment with others. These are a few reasons, and there are many others. Loneliness can even seem permanent. From his book God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions, Rick Warren helps us understand the way out of loneliness:

Jesus understands loneliness. He says to you, “I understand how you feel. I care about you, and I want to help you.” Let him help you conquer your loneliness as you turn to him in prayer and reach out in love to lonely people around you.

We need to stop building walls between us and start building bridges. We need to stop complaining, “God, I’m so lonely,” and start saying God, help me be a friend to someone today. Help me build a bridge instead of building a wall.” Love is an antidote to loneliness. Instead of waiting to be loved, we need to give love; then love will be given back to us in abundant measure.

Question

What was a lonely situation for you and how did you overcome it?

Think of one person at church or in your neighborhood or workplace whom you know feels lonely and consider some specific way to help him or her to dispel that loneliness.

Take a look

Mark 15:34

—Mike