“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will never fail you or abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
Do you feel lonely? Nearly everyone feels lonely at some point. Cigna Healthcare published an article in January 2021 saying, “America’s loneliness epidemic is getting worse, with three in five adults (61%) reporting they are lonely.”
A year of quarantine and isolation during COVID contributed significantly to these high stats. Research shows that chronic loneliness can have negative consequences for your health.
David dealt with loneliness many times in his life. King Saul repeatedly tried to kill him, forcing him to flee from the city, leave his home and family, and hide in a cave. David was a king anointed by God, but he found himself hiding in a cave, afraid for his life.
In our “cave-dwelling,” we can find ourselves with a false sense of safety. To protect our hearts, we may build a wall to keep others out. It may feel better to run or retreat. Still, the reality is, we miss out on the joy of growing and maturing in our character as we resolve conflict with others. Remember, in the garden of Eden, it was God who said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).
Whatever the cause of loneliness, as followers of Christ, the cure is always the same: the comforting fellowship of Christ. He is the friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 NLT) and who has promised never to leave us or forsake us but to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
If you’re feeling lonely, here are a few practical steps you can take:
- Acknowledge your feelings. Take time to grieve.
- Seek professional help. Meeting with a pastor or a mental health professional is one of the most helpful steps you can take if you’re trying to overcome loneliness. When David was on the run, the first person he went to was a priest.
- Make church attendance a regular part of your routine. God made us for community, never to do life alone.
- Develop a new hobby or look for ways to volunteer in your community.
Being alone with our thoughts, feelings, fears, and resentments without support can suck us into a quicksand of negativity. But thank God we have hope in Jesus Christ.
Dig Deeper
- What are you facing today that is stirring up fear and panic within you?
- What steps above can you initiate today to help yourself cope through feelings of loneliness.
Related Resource: The Importance of Developing Christ-Centered Friendships
