Loneliness is an affliction that some of us know all too well. Are we predestined to remain in a revolving state, or can we do something about it? What does the Bible have to say?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines lonely as “being without company” or “to be cut off from others”.
Even some of the biblical greats were affected by loneliness. In Psalm 25, David expresses his need for deliverance from his enemies and forgiveness from God.
Psalm 25:16
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me: for I am desolate and afflicted.
Desolate. David was desolate…. another term for lonely.
Being alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Doing so can be beneficial, giving us the necessary time to regain clarity and grow closer to God. Being lonely and being alone are not the same.
On Psychology Today, Renee Garfinkel Ph.D. hits the nail on the head with this excerpt from “On Laughter and Loneliness”:
Some of us treasure our solitude, but no one wants to be lonely. Nevertheless, loneliness is integral to the human experience. Writers, thinkers and philosophers grapple with it.
Religious writers have also written about loneliness. They refer to the loneliness of conscience. They describe the lonely man of faith. Philosophers have told us that there is no avoiding it: the human condition entails existential loneliness. It is a fact to which each of us must respond.
Loneliness is a perception and a judgment, not an objective state. It has been described as the discrepancy between desired and achieved level of social contact, depending more on the quality of social relationships, than the quantity. One can be lonely in a crowd, or with a full social schedule, or even in a marriage.
In 2 Timothy Chapter 4, Paul is preparing for his impending execution. Verses 16-18 briefly summarize his time as an apostle. Yet in his final hours, Paul realizes that although every one else forsook him, the Lord stood by him through it all.
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
There may have been times that Paul felt very lonely, but he was never alone. God walked every step of Paul’s journey with him. Although we’re not apostles, God walks with us daily too. He knows and understands it all. We are the sons and daughters of a king; we should walk accordingly.
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.
Satan is very real and he knows our weaknesses well. He knows that our flesh is weak, and he will use those weaknesses to destroy us. Fear, failure, and regret are three main areas that he focuses on. The devil doesn’t want us to be happy. He would rather us be miserable, depressed, confused, anxious, afraid, and disbelieving.
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus spoke to Peter, James, and John about the weakness of the flesh. Jesus knew that he would be crucified, and his spirit was ready. However, his flesh was not; because of this, he prayed in the garden that not his will, but God’s be done.
Mark 14:38
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
As weak members of the flesh, what can we do in times of loneliness? First and foremost, we must acknowledge that as Christians, we are complete in Christ. We are never alone!
Colossians 2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
We have been set apart, no longer the world’s, but God’s. Sometimes He even separates us for a season to pull us closer to him. He will mold and shape us into who we’re meant to be, we just have to be still.
Psalm 4:3-4
3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psalm 1:1-2
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
There will be moments in our lives that we are tempted to let our flesh take control. What should we do when those moments arise? The Bible states that we are to endure temptation, to separate ourselves, and not envy those that sin.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
2 Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: and I will receive you,
Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
There is always much to learn and in today’s society there is an abundance of resources. We must pray for guidance and discernment. We mustn’t let ourselves be led astray by false teachings. Not only for ourselves but for those that watch our daily walk, searching for examples of how to lead a Godly life.
Romans 14:21
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Colossians 2:1-12
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
The aforementioned philosophy is vain deceit; empty, meaningless doctrine that will lead you astray. Therefore, not all philosophy is bad. Philosophy, when God-centered can be highly beneficial to us.
Resources
- The King James Study Bible, Full Color Edition. Copyright 1988, 2013, 2017 by Liberty University. Published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN 37214 USA
- Garfinkel, Renee. “On Laughter and Loneliness.” Psychology Today, 22 Jan. 2013, http://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/time-out/201301/laughter-and-loneliness.
Gracefully Sufficient 
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