April 19, 2021 (Monday)
This is the second of nine blogs on “Personal Problems in Life: Feelings of Anxiety, Loneliness, Depression, Anger, Guilt, Inferiority, Grief, Hostililty, and Feelings Associated with Sickness.”
The Beatles had a song about lonely people: “Ah, look at all the lonely people, Ah, look at all the lonely people. All the lonely people. Where do they all come from? All the lonely people, Where do they all belong?”
When God created Adam and Eve, he first created Adam alone. Then He observed, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Jesus reminded us that God created one man and one woman in the first marriage. People have stumbled through life, trying their best to make that work, sometimes successful, sometimes not. God loves them all; so should we.
Loneliness is not discussed as a separate subject in the Bible, but many of the people there experienced it, like Jacob, Moses, Job, Nehemiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, and David, who once said “I am lonely and afflicted.” Even Jesus felt forsaken on the cross. We need communion with God and we need fellowship with others, especially Christians, to love, help, encourage, forgive and care for them and they for us. Someone has observed that we have become cave dwellers again, and many of us do not know who lives in the cave next door. Many reasons exist for this, not the least of which is urbanization and technology of various kinds.
Many people grew up feeling unattached and unaccepted within their families, if they had such. And they have never learned how to do anything–they have developed no skills. Others are psychologically handicapped for whatever reason with low self-esteem, inability to communicate, have self-defeating attitudes, are hostile and fearful. Many today are living in situations which engender loneliness: single or widowed, living alone, grieving and/or elderly. And there are many other reasons for loneliness.
Loneliness can result in poor self esteem and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, which may may be root causes of alcoholism and even violence.
What can be done to overcome loneliness? As with all problems, one must first admit to the problem. Having done that, explore the causes, accepting what cannot be changed and making possible changes. Sometimes we read books, hear recordings, or listen to people in person who seem to say that human contact is the only hope, ignoring the reality of coming to understand the awesome love of God in Christ.
I can testify that Jesus Christ changed my life and has made me a different person, which has given me a different life. Without being overly simple, just let me say to anyone suffering emotional pain today, Jesus Christ can help. Believe in Him. Commit yourself to Him. He loves you, can save you and give you a brand new life.
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
Words: Joseph M. Scriven
Music: Charles C. Converse
1868
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.