“The solution for loneliness is love. Specifically, the love of a good God who sees you, sympathizes with you and possess the power to do something about your loneliness.”- Annie Lent
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Let your gently spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”- Philippians 4:4-6 (NASB)
In Chapter 2 (“The God Who Sees”) of Transforming Loneliness, Ruth Graham states the following belief. It’s okay to be alone, feel lonely, or even experience a degree of loneliness at times. Because that’s just part of being human and living life. However, Ruth counsels, that doesn’t mean we must settle for sad, oppressive loneliness as a lasting condition.
But before we move on in this journey, Ruth asserts the need for us to be on the same page in regard to certain terms:
- Alone – neither a negative nor positive word. Rather, it simply means physically by yourself.
- Lonely and loneliness – connote a negative, sad feeling.
- Circumstantial loneliness – comes and goes according to your circumstances. But, left unchecked, it can become chronic. Meaning it occurs again and again, or it’s always present.
- Solitude – a positive, satisfying choice to be alone. As a result, solitude restores and regenerates.
- Isolation – a negative word; you become self-focused and self-occupied. In addition, it stresses detachment from others.
Of course, Ruth observes, it’s possible to be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. Especially when the people around you seem to have so much to celebrate.
Elisabeth Elliot’s missionary husband Jim met his death as he tried to make contact with the Auca Indians in 1956. Sadly, years later Elisabeth became a widow for the second time in 1973 after only four years of marriage. Consequently, she wrote:
“In the wilderness of loneliness we are terribly vulnerable. We want OUT.”
OUT – not a pep talk or a to-do list. We want out of the ache we feel. And we want out now.
Today’s question: Do you see love as the solution for loneliness? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Feeling lost in our loneliness”
