Dealing with Loneliness
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted
Psalm 25:16
Surveys reveal that fifty percent of Americans feel lonely and lack companionship and meaningful relationships. This is even more evident in young people today. In our fast paced society it is difficult to slow down and take the time to get to know one another. When I was young I can remember sitting on the front porch with my mother, father, and grandmother talking with our neighbors for two or three hours in the evening. Now in many places we are lucky if we even know our neighbors much less spend time talking with them. This is Satan’s goal, to isolate us and make us feel lonely and unloved. So what is God’s plan for us to overcome loneliness?
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Our Christian brothers and sisters become our family and close friends. We are drawn together through the indwelling Holy Spirit and Christ pulls us together into his family.
Our Christian family meets twice per week for Church and midweek Bible study, but members are always getting together for other activities such as going to dinner, going to a movie, or going on vacation together. There are men’s groups, women’s groups, and teen groups, all enjoying activities together.
While traveling I have stopped and attended Church in places where I didn’t know anyone. Because we are all in God’s family, I was treated with love and respect and was invited to dinner. I went back to Church that evening and was treated to an evening meal at a local restaurant. Now when I travel I continue to worship with these people and they have become good Christian friends.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-20). We have close fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters, and we are continually connected to the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit.
Today know that you have close friends in your church family and a continual connection to the Lord. Always be thankful, cherish your relationships, and seek new relationship as you minister to others. Christians are meant to be together in a close loving family to receive the Lord’s love and support.
Let’s Pray: Lord, thank you for my Christian brothers and sisters and help me to always cherish my relationships with them. Help me to always reflect love to my family, church family, and to everyone including my enemies. Never let my heart grow cold but forever increase in your love. In Jesus name, Amen