Listen to Nancy’s answer recorded live on Moody radio, here:
How could it be, in a time with humans have never been more connected through technology, people are the loneliest, more isolated, anxious and depressed group to have ever lived. Loneliness is not about being with people—we can feel lonely surrounded by others and not feel lonely when we are alone. Loneliness is an emotional state in which we feel isolated or completely alone in the world. It’s not new. Most of us have experienced loneliness at some time in our lives.
God created us to be relational people. To do life together, talk and dream together, to work and to love one another. The most important relationship that we are called to cultivate is tied God! It is through Him that our relationships with others can flourish. Life without active relationships is not healthy. Genesis 2:18, God says that it is not good that man should be alone. God’s remedy for Adam’s loneliness is the creation of Eve and the institution of marriage. God provided Adam with a companion to join him in life.
When Adam and Eve sinned, relationships broke down. Not only was humanity forever at birth separated from God, but human relationship was damaged as well (Genesis 3:16, 24). No longer did peace exist between humans and God or between humans and one another. The earth was cursed as well. However, even as God pronounced the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin, He also granted hope through the promise He made in Genesis 3:15. This hope was the promise of a Savior who would defeat Satan and restore peace between God and mankind. This Savior is Jesus Christ, and He is the only true and lasting remedy for loneliness.
There is a cure for loneliness. It is through Jesus , the one who has laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13–15). Pascal said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in every human heart.” That vacuum manifests itself with restlessness and loneliness, which is only soothed by the peace and love of God through Jesus. Knowing scripture is where we can all go to be encouraged to know that we are never, in the worst of circumstances, alone with no hope.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he 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” (John 14-15)
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
All of us have a tendency to serve ourselves. Self absorption is a recipe for loneliness. God has called us to reconcile to people and to Him. Because the Spirit lives in all whom believe, go to friends and people that you might not know who are in hospitals and the homeless or those who are in prisons. Comfort them be sharing with them how much they are loved by Jesus, who died for them that they may experience joy and hope in the midst of suffering. Read to someone, write a letter, make a phone call and let them know that you care for them.
Jesus promises his presence in this world and in Heaven to come. John 14:1-3 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
No believer in Christ is ever alone.