Loneliness

God said it in Genesis 2:18, "It is not good that man should be alone," and he created woman. What happens, though, when life removes one from that equation and the other remains, left with loneliness?

There are times that being alone is good. Jesus often went off to be alone, usually to pray. He was the Word of God and was in communication with God. To combat loneliness, I believe we need to spend time with the Bible, God's word, and prayer, too. But Christ's being alone isn't the same as the feeling of loneliness we often experience.

The loneliness that often leads to depression has to do with not having someone else to share both the good and the bad life has to offer; having someone care about our needs and concerns; having someone who wants to talk with and spend time with us; having someone appreciate our work and our efforts. Not having someone does bring great sadness.

There are helps for us in His word. I like this verse:

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. (Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV)

Paul felt loneliness, mentioning in 2 Timothy 4:10 as Demas had forsaken him. During his loneliness, he might have considered another verse:

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24 KJV)

It is extremely difficult to feel loneliness when considering what can be done for others. There's another verse:

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Philippians 2:4 KJV)

Do not take that to mean taking over another's life, but as another biblical request to consider others. How much more Christ-like can it be, since He left all and gave all for others. I don't believe we fully understand the loneliness that brought forth His cry:

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46 KJV)

He knew that was coming, too, when He prayed for the cup to pass. He also knew that the loneliness would pass, even as He cried out for our Father. He was right in both instances. Since a Christian’s goal is to become more like Christ, looking after others is an excellent start.

Fellow believers are your family, in Christ. Look to your family not only for help, but to help.