Helping Others in Their Loneliness
The Pain of Loneliness
Millions today understand the pain of loneliness and its far-reaching effects. Whether it’s due to a break-up, divorce, illness, job loss, the death of a loved one, or seemingly for no reason at all … there are times in our broken world we simply feel alone. And though we live in the most technologically connected world ever, in so many ways, we are also the most relationally disconnected ever.
“It is not good … to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).
The social isolation of the past two years due to the pandemic has contributed to a global rise in nearly every mental health disorder. Issues of loneliness and isolation continue to impact many in our families, churches, workplaces, and communities. So what’s the answer to this growing reality?
“I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
“The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort … comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
These words from 2nd Corinthians teach and guide us on how we can help others. In our pain, the Lord draws near to us – meeting us right where we are with His comfort. He calls us to do the same for those who are broken, hurt, and lonely.
“In our loneliness, we long for unconditional acceptance and closeness. To be cared for, known, understood, and loved for who we are. We long for relationships where we don’t have to pretend to be someone we are not or hold back from being vulnerable and honest for fear of being seen as less than in the eyes of others. God is the starting place for this kind of intimacy.”
God is the starting place. If we’re going to help others in their pain – or make sense of our own – we need to look to the Lord and His Word.
