all the lonely people

We live in a very connected world of social media, yet we are lonelier than ever. “Loneliness is more common today than ever before, and more people live alone,” said lead author of a study on loneliness Anne Vinggaard Christensen, PhD student at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark. According to the study, loneliness leads to anxiety, depression, heart disease, poor mental health and lower quality of life. Statistics aside, it just hurts to be lonely. What is God’s cure for loneliness?

First, we can be comforted to know God understands our loneliness. Jesus is the perfect example of the loneliest person. He was a man of sorrows, despised and rejected, unaccepted even by His family, abandoned by many in His darkest hour. He became sin for us and even His heavenly Father turned away. Jesus understands our loneliness. Not only does He understand, though; through His death and resurrection, He destroys loneliness. Because of His death, we can be part of the family of God with other brothers and sisters bought by His blood. Believers and followers of Christ have fellowship with God and His children forever.

Second, in His love and grace and mercy, God provides several avenues to alleviate our loneliness. He said it wasn’t good for man to be alone, and He created woman. A healthy relationship between husband and wife is God’s gift of companionship and a direct prevention against loneliness. Also, God formed communities of family and the local church. Friendships and opportunities to “love one another” abound in the family and church.

In the truest sense, God is our best friend, as the hymn sings, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” The Lord promised that His children would never be alone, and every member of the Trinity was given to see this promise through. It is the Father, “The Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you,” in Deuteronomy 31:6. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Finally, He promised the coming Spirit in John 14:16-17, “[The Father] will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Are you alone? Know that God understands. He Himself paid the price so you can overcome. Seek out your spouse, or family, or local church for friendship. Finally, it is the Father, Son and Spirit who will always be a Christian’s assured Counselor, Comforter, Helper and Friend. He is the best and eternal source of greatest joy and company. He is the truest remedy to loneliness.