Since 2020, countries have noticed that their citizens are having a loneliness epidemic. The US Surgeon General has released advisories regarding the issues of social isolation trying to bring awareness to the problem. The United Kingdom has been experiencing something very similar. They actually created a position within the government to address it called the Minister of Loneliness. God created us for connection with Him and people. When people are chronically lonely, there are physical and mental health issues that go along with it.the lack of social interaction has been shown to increase the risk of stroke, anxiety, heart disease, depression and more. In the Garden of Eden, when God said, “It is not good that man should be alone,” He was right.
There were times in the Bible where people experienced loneliness. David was one of them. He spent time living in caves on the run from Saul. In 2 Samuel 15 he fled Jerusalem while his son Absalom staged a coup. In the first instance, God sent warriors to find him hiding in the cave of Adullum. Psalm 25:16-17 says, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses” (ESV). David cried out to God for help when he was lonely. He also made sure he wasn’t isolated. He made sure that he had people around him that cared for him in those times. It’s a great model for us when we’re lonely.
Hebrews 10:24-24 reminds us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” We need people around us to help stir up our gifts, our emotions and our love. Being around God’s people should be a time of encouragement for you. The enemy will try to get you in a cycle of loneliness and separation from God’s people so he can limit your effectiveness, steal your joy and rob you of your health. It’s hard to break free of that cycle, but it is critical to your emotional, physical and spiritual health. If you see someone in that cycle, visit them and do what you can to help them reconnect with people and God. You can help bring them out of distress and reconnect them to the Body of Christ.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 