Feeling lonely? You're not alone. Pretty much everyone on earth has experienced loneliness in one way or another. Even if it's for a short period of time.
Lately, I've been experiencing loneliness. I don't really know why... but it's a little hard for me to admit. Also, God has been bringing people to me who are going through loneliness as well. So I thought it would be a good idea for me to write about it since it's something that I'm going through and something that others around me are going through.
First thing that I want to say is this.... God is the only One who can satisfy your loneliness. Seriously. Nobody else can. If you only remember one thing from this post, this is the thing you need to remember: Jesus truly satisfies us! Here are some passages that have been helpful to me:
"For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." - Psalm 107:9
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to Me; hear that your soul may live...." - Isaiah 55:1-3a
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:25-26
God's Word says that He satisfies. So when we start feeling like, "If only I had friends.." Or, "If only I had friends who were like this..." Or even, "If only I had a boyfriend/girlfriend (or was married).... then I wouldn't feel lonely anymore." I can't tell you enough that these are such LIES! DON'T BELIEVE THEM. When you start thinking that way, pull out a verse like Psalm 107:9 and trust that Jesus is the One who will satisfy your soul. Trust in Him and KILL that thought. Put it to DEATH! These thoughts are going to lead you straight toward discontentment. If you aren't content without some kind of relationship right now, then you aren't going to be content in that relationship later on. You need to find your contentment in the One who never changes.
The second thing I want to do is ask this question: Is loneliness a sin?
No. It's not a sin. Loneliness is an emotion. But it can (like other emotions) lead to sin. If you truly are alone, then you usually feel alone, right? But if you dwell on the fact that you're lonely, you will become discontent. And discontentment IS a sin.
We should strive to be content with what we have.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:11-13
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" - Hebrews 13:5
We need to put off discontentment and put on thankfulness. We're told so many times in the Bible to be thankful.
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever." - Psalm 118:1
"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving..... giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.." - Ephesians 5:4, 20
"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Put off discontentment and put on thankfulness? Easy enough, right? NOT. It's a tough thing to do. And you can't do this on your own. Not without Christ. Jesus says that we can't bear fruit apart from Him.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
Pray and ask God to change your heart. Ask Him to strengthen you to do the things that He has called you to do. I can do all things through what? Through "Him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)
This is the last thing I want to say about loneliness. As believers in Christ, Jesus was alone for us. He understands how it feels to be alone. In fact, He knows more about being alone then we will ever know! He was not only abandoned by His own disciples..... He was forsaken by the Father Himself.
God poured out His wrath on His only Son in our place so that we could be forgiven. God turned His face away from His precious Son. Jesus was completely alone.
There was a messed up relationship between us and God. Our sin separated us from Him. So what happened? Jesus came and died for that sin of ours so that we could have a perfect relationship with God. If we put our trust in what Christ did for us, then we can be with the One who says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)
Let's look at what Jesus said to His disciples and what He prayed to His Father right before He was taken away to be crucified.
"And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.' And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And He said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.' And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.'" - Mark 14:32-36
Why do you think Jesus was troubled? Because He KNEW what was coming. He knew that He would have to give up EVERYTHING. He gave up His LIFE in complete obedience to His Father. What amazing love!
There is so much more I could say.... I feel like I just scratched the surface of this issue. But I hope this was helpful to you. I pray that God would give hope to those of you who are feeling lonely. Don't forget look to Jesus for all of your happiness. Don't look away from Him.
And remember, Jesus died so that you don't have to be alone.
