Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Loneliness is a feeling of disconnection. We can feel lonely in a room full of people. You can live with someone you love and become disconnected. This disconnection can leave you feeling lonely whether you are alone with that person or surrounded by a room full of people.
There are many reasons why we feel lonely. We can feel lonely due to a broken relationship or the loss of someone we love.
Harvard conducted a study on the causes of the epidemic of loneliness. It was published in October 2024 by Elizabeth M. Ross. It looked at several factors such as gender and racial identity and educational levels but didn’t find them to have any real impact. Income levels, however, were shown to have an effect. It showed those making 30,000 annually reported to be much lonelier than those making 50,000 or above.
Loneliness is linked to mental health. Eighty-one percent surveyed reported feelings of anxiety and depression attributed to feelings of loneliness. Anxiety can lead to numerous health problems.
Those surveyed listed varied reasons for loneliness. Technology was believed to attribute to loneliness according to 73% of those interviewed. Issues like too little time spent with family, being overworked, mental health challenges and living in a society that was too individualistic were concerns that 58-66% of those surveyed felt attributed to their loneliness. Fifty percent felt that no religion or spiritual life combined with too much focus on one’s own feelings and the changing nature of work attributed to their loneliness.
The fact that this Harvard study found that 50 percent or one of two people surveyed felt no religion was a contributing factor to loneliness, speaks volumes about our world today.
I find it interesting, 50 percent of those surveyed found a lack of religion combined with too much self-interest is the problem.
The Bible warns against selfishness in Philippians 2:3-4 which says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Our Scripture passage says, “Fear not, for I am with you.” My friend, if God is with us, we will never be lonely.
Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission. He commanded them to go out and make disciples of all nations and ended by saying, ” I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen”
Loneliness left unchecked can lead to many other problems. If you feel your loneliness is caused by a lack of religion or spiritual life or being too focused on yourself, turn to Jesus. Surrender your life to Him and ask Him to fill your heart with His Holy Spirit. Feel His presence in your life.
I find it so sad that one out of two people surveyed identify a lack of religion as a cause for depression. I wonder if these people realize Jesus is the cure in that case. It’s a simple fix. Draw near to Him today and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Surrender to Him. Trust in Him.
Human beings will let you down. Even those who love you will disappoint you at times, but God will never leave you. He will never forsake you. Trust in Him today. Feel His constant presence in your life in both good times and bad. Be assured He is there with you through thick and thin. Once you surrender your life to Him, you will never be lonely.
Have a great day!