Loneliness

Psalm 68:5-5 NIV A father to the fatherless and defender of widows — this is God. He places the lonely in families.

There is an epidemic in the world that you don’t hear on the news, rarely is anyone talking about it, and there is no vaccine. Studies show those suffering from this condition are 50% more likely to die prematurely, and the number of people reporting this condition has increased by 300% over the past two decades. The condition is loneliness, and God created you to be part of the cure.

Although it may feel unspiritual to experience loneliness, you can be comforted that this is a basic human emotion and need. A lack of meaningful social connection and intimacy can cause deep emotional pain. It is also one that our heavenly Father fully understands; it is how he has created us. Remember Genesis 2:18, “Then the Lord God said, it is not good for the man to be alone.” In today’s society, we tend to pretend that the people around us don’t exist. We often avoid eye contact, and we seek to portray ourselves as independent and invincible. We keep our relationships in safe, curated boxes where we may not be fully known. However, God made us for relationships. We were made for deep relationships with both God and one another, and our loneliness can only be fully met in both.

Psalm 68:5-5 states, “He places the lonely in families,” and is there any greater family than the family of God? The church, the body of Christ, is to be the place where loneliness is met head-on, where people find love, compassion, comfort, encouragement, purpose, and a sense of belonging.  Where Galatians 6:10 is exercised, “Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith!” Yet too often, people come and go from church gatherings without intentional or meaningful engagement. They come in and leave again with the same burdens, sense of isolation, and loneliness. This is not what God intended.

Jesus has placed us in a community through his blood: the local church. The church is not a social club. We are described as brothers and sisters, intimate family members that we know inside and out. Our love for each other is our witness to the world: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Paul describes it as a body, dependent on each other, necessary to function properly: “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16)

Being aware of others is an important part of living a Christ-like life. Scripture teaches us to love, support, and care for those around us. When we pay attention to other people’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, we show that we truly love them as God loves us. The gospel compels us to love one another and spend meaningful time with each other: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25). This can never be accomplished in one hour on a Sunday morning.

Life can wear us down with pain, fear, and the feeling that we’ll never measure up. Jesus offers something better: hope that heals and life that overflows with purpose. God’s promises aren’t just powerful — they are transformational. Declaring God’s truth over our lives can shift our perspective and renew our strength. Find someone to encourage today. Speak God’s love and purpose over them. That kind of love, compassion, and encouragement conquers loneliness.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Psalms 34:18 NLT The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

John 16:32-33 TPT And the time has come when you will all be scattered, and each one of you will go your own way, leaving me alone! Yet I am never alone, for the Father is always with me. And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Joshua 1:5 NIV As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5-6 TPT For hasn’t the Lord promised you, I will never leave you, never! And I will not loosen my grip on your life! So we can say with great confidence: I know the Lord is for me and I will never be afraid of what people may do to me!

Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13 NIV For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 43:2 NLT When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Romans 8:37-39 NIV In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proverbs 18:24 TPT Some friendships don’t last for long, but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart closer than any other!

Psalms 23:4-6 NLT Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Hebrews 13:5-6 NLT Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. So we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?