T
tommy38
Guest
i know for my self being single isnt easy haveing t o deal with lonelyness in our dailylives.
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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join Hidden in Him and For His Glory for discussions on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/become-a-vessel-of-honor-part-2.112306/
Blazin Bones
Member
- Oct 6, 2004
- 10,717
- 84
Ditto! It's really tough to deal with some days, at least for me. I'm Nineteen and I can't wait to meet my future wife. I'm am eagerly looking forward to the ministries her and I will serve together in. Trusting in God's timing can be really tough, but we all know His time is the best time.
P
Pale^Rider**
Guest
- Thread starter
- #3
I'm not single, but sometimes I feel it.....loneliness and depression takes over where you least expect it. What I'm saying here, I understand..... i feel lonely all the time....and I've been married now for 7 years :-?
Hang in there and be patient.......let God reveal that special someone....someone that will be your best friend as well as your mate for life.....
Hang in there and be patient.......let God reveal that special someone....someone that will be your best friend as well as your mate for life.....
Featherbop
Member
- Jun 10, 2003
- 1,444
- 0
Sometimes being alone is good. Becoming accustomed to lonliness is a good thing, because being with another is not always easy or possible.
However, being alone seems not to be the single large problem for many people, but also depression, usually caused by life failures, or bad circumstances, or even simple discontent. The two seem to go together much of the time. Myself, although I will never marry, I've no friends either, and sometimes I wish I did, but there is a bright side to all things. Lonliness isn't the worst problem one can have. Helping others usually makes you feel better. Just taking the focus off of one's self.
However, being alone seems not to be the single large problem for many people, but also depression, usually caused by life failures, or bad circumstances, or even simple discontent. The two seem to go together much of the time. Myself, although I will never marry, I've no friends either, and sometimes I wish I did, but there is a bright side to all things. Lonliness isn't the worst problem one can have. Helping others usually makes you feel better. Just taking the focus off of one's self.
destiny
Member
- Apr 15, 2004
- 4,043
- 4
One of the number one causes for divorce between married couples is lack of communication.
You've got to open up and share your heart with your spouse, no matter how hard it is. Intimate conversation is the lifeblood of the marriage, theres lots of good christian books on the subject.
You've got to open up and share your heart with your spouse, no matter how hard it is. Intimate conversation is the lifeblood of the marriage, theres lots of good christian books on the subject.
Blazin Bones
Member
- Oct 6, 2004
- 10,717
- 84
Not to dig at you guys, but can we get back to the topic of lonliness? I know that this is something I struggle with. Any advice from your single days would be awesome. 8-)
P
Pale^Rider**
Guest
- Thread starter
- #8
Stay very busy.....never and i mean never...have idle time. And when you have to sit still.....pray. Pretty soon you'll be enjoying that alone time and looking forward to it....after that, those new hobbies/activities will lead you to people with similar interests......before you know it after that.....fireworks with cinderella......and then before you know it after that....wedding bells.....and then (ah, you get it)
Blazin Bones
Member
- Oct 6, 2004
- 10,717
- 84
Thanks Pale. 8-) I do try to keep myself very busy, and active in the ministries God places before me. Prayer is also becoming more and more a huge part of my life.
L
Lost in Sin!
Guest
- Thread starter
- #10
Brutus:
Did I read correctly that you are only 19?
Try having been alone for 50 years, & see how you feel, because that is how old I am, & I have been alone for that long as well!
I am adopted, & I never felt like I was a member of my family, although my parents loved me very much.
I have been totally alone for well over 25 years, ever since a bad relationship went down, & I can tell everyone here that you don't want to be alone for that long.
Is it any wonder that I have tried suicide over 2 dozen times during that time!
No matter how hard you try, you can NEVER truley escape the lonliness!
The only thing that give me a reason for living are my CD's. If I didn't have my music, I wouldn't want to live. At least THEY won't ever let me down!
Lost!
:
Did I read correctly that you are only 19?
Try having been alone for 50 years, & see how you feel, because that is how old I am, & I have been alone for that long as well!
I am adopted, & I never felt like I was a member of my family, although my parents loved me very much.
I have been totally alone for well over 25 years, ever since a bad relationship went down, & I can tell everyone here that you don't want to be alone for that long.
Is it any wonder that I have tried suicide over 2 dozen times during that time!
No matter how hard you try, you can NEVER truley escape the lonliness!
The only thing that give me a reason for living are my CD's. If I didn't have my music, I wouldn't want to live. At least THEY won't ever let me down!
Lost!
:
K
KnarfKS
Guest
- Thread starter
- #11
Sorry to hear that Lost, but you should look for what God wants from your life. Life is not based on another person, life is about glorifying God. Work for God glorifying Him and He will provide for you in His time if it is His will. If someone pushes the issue and gets into a relationship that isn't what God wants He may let you continue and pay the consequences.
I have heard things like this too many times. People will hurt you, they may do it intentionally or unintentionally, but at some point we all need to get through our pain of someone hurting us and live our lives. I don't want to belittle your pain, I understand that you hurt but it sounds like it has been about 25 years, get over it. CD's ar not a reason to live, the redeeming blood of Jesus is the reason to live. It sounds like you have time, so quit with the cd's and get out and do something for God. Life is too short to waste time on things that won't matter in eternity.
I'm sorry to hear about all of your pain and trials that God has put you through, but God is a God of purpose. There is purpose behind the events in your life. If you came for sympathy, you don't want to be near me and you don't belong here. We are called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, sometimes that means that we tell them the truth about what they are saying. If you want support of brothers and sisters in Christ to stand beside you, you are doing the right thing, but your wrong if you want someone to agree and say poor you: .
Suicide won't fix anything, I have been to that point of depression too but I realized that there is always tommorrow to change. If I killed myself what would I be missing out on, what could I have done for God, what amazing things could He have done through my life. I also realized that if I commited suicide it would be a total disregard for God's sovereinty, ignoring the fact that God never gives us more than we can handle and flat out not believing in the redeeming power of Jesus. There is too much to do in God's kingdom, too many people to tell about Jesus, too many orphans and widows to take care of, flat out too many things to do than for anyone to kill themselves.
I have heard things like this too many times. People will hurt you, they may do it intentionally or unintentionally, but at some point we all need to get through our pain of someone hurting us and live our lives. I don't want to belittle your pain, I understand that you hurt but it sounds like it has been about 25 years, get over it. CD's ar not a reason to live, the redeeming blood of Jesus is the reason to live. It sounds like you have time, so quit with the cd's and get out and do something for God. Life is too short to waste time on things that won't matter in eternity.
The problem is that you are trying to escape lonliness. You are trying by your own will, that won't work, it is by the will of God that good things happen in anyone's life. Sometimes God wants us to be alone for one reason or another. Don't "escape" it, embrace the gift of singleness and live a life that you couldn't do with a partner.
I'm sorry to hear about all of your pain and trials that God has put you through, but God is a God of purpose. There is purpose behind the events in your life. If you came for sympathy, you don't want to be near me and you don't belong here. We are called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, sometimes that means that we tell them the truth about what they are saying. If you want support of brothers and sisters in Christ to stand beside you, you are doing the right thing, but your wrong if you want someone to agree and say poor you
: .Suicide won't fix anything, I have been to that point of depression too but I realized that there is always tommorrow to change. If I killed myself what would I be missing out on, what could I have done for God, what amazing things could He have done through my life. I also realized that if I commited suicide it would be a total disregard for God's sovereinty, ignoring the fact that God never gives us more than we can handle and flat out not believing in the redeeming power of Jesus. There is too much to do in God's kingdom, too many people to tell about Jesus, too many orphans and widows to take care of, flat out too many things to do than for anyone to kill themselves.
E
EbenezerSunshine
Guest
- Thread starter
- #12
My biggest problem being a single female is that I relate to guys well. I have a great number of guy friends, but so often I hear that wonderful line, "You are just like a sister to me." But at least I don't have a boyfriend who is jealous of all the attention I do get from males, even though it is entirely platonic. :P
Something that really helps with my loneliness is having a close friend of the opposite sex, one who truly is like a brother to me. I can talk to Josh about absolutely anything, but there is no tension about a relationship happening. One day, when one of us does get married, the dynamics of our relationship will change. But for now there is someone, of the opposite sex, who knows me inside and out. And reminds me that the guy for me will come along eventually.
Something that really helps with my loneliness is having a close friend of the opposite sex, one who truly is like a brother to me. I can talk to Josh about absolutely anything, but there is no tension about a relationship happening. One day, when one of us does get married, the dynamics of our relationship will change. But for now there is someone, of the opposite sex, who knows me inside and out. And reminds me that the guy for me will come along eventually.
Blazin Bones
Member
- Oct 6, 2004
- 10,717
- 84
Lost in Sin! said:Brutus:
Did I read correctly that you are only 19?
Try having been alone for 50 years, & see how you feel, because that is how old I am, & I have been alone for that long as well!
I am adopted, & I never felt like I was a member of my family, although my parents loved me very much.
I have been totally alone for well over 25 years, ever since a bad relationship went down, & I can tell everyone here that you don't want to be alone for that long.
Is it any wonder that I have tried suicide over 2 dozen times during that time!
No matter how hard you try, you can NEVER truley escape the lonliness!
The only thing that give me a reason for living are my CD's. If I didn't have my music, I wouldn't want to live. At least THEY won't ever let me down!
Lost!
Sorry Lost, echoing Knarf. I know others have faced the struggle a ton longer, but the pain is still there. Plus, I knew that the pain was really hurting my walk with God and so I knew I had to seek the advice of the faithful.
If you hold onto the grudges of the past, that is all you'll have!
If you let go and move into the now, make the best of the now, that is what you will have. Stop holding onto the past so tightly. Let go and let God work in you and through you with love in your heart and nothing expecting to come back to you!
Find the things to appreciate from the scripture. There are plenty things to appreciate. Be even glad you have a roof over your head! Be even glad you have food to eat! Look at all the other people in this world that have no shelter or food or clothing! Being lonely is nothing when you think about the things others don't have. And being well taken care of is a gift from God! We need to Help others not just be so concerned about how lonely we are. Relationship with a mate for the sake of just having a mate is not what life is about! We are here on this earth to help others and to serve Jesus with the same kind of love he gave to others. His time on earth was for the helping of others. What is a wife or a husband if you are not serving for the same reasons? Is sex the reason you want a relationship? Or is it because you want a help mate to serve the Lord together. If you get a mate that is of a different mindset. That isn't serving the Lord . You will only be headed in the wrong direction if you don't have the love of Christ working you your life.
Conflict comes from not being in the Love of Jesus Christ. Make a relationship with Jesus first! Then see how your life changes for the better.
Make Jesus your mate! This is the time to get to know Jesus more and better! That is the kind of love that sustains us! Not the love of the fleshly, material kind! Whether you have a partner in life or not. If you are in the right kind of love that Jesus teaches you to be in then being alone will not be so painful! Christ Jesus, the Holy spirit becomes your guide. Not some spirit that directs your thoughts to your own feelings of loneliness. If you feel lonely then what are you focusing on... Self, or the love of the Holy Spirit that teaches unselfishness and how to reach out to others in life?
Read the bible and get the GOODNESS out of it! That is your promise from God. The goodness of His BLESSINGS. IF we follow his ways. If we ignore the word of the good news gospel then we don't get anything but what we preach and practice. preach and practice the Good HOLY word and you will be not so grumpy and lonely.
Spread the gospel and help others. That is what we are commissioned to do! Lift each other up in the love of Christ. Don't be so grumpy that you can't see the goodness around you. We need to share that which is good. Keep to yourself and you will get just that. nothing but yourself. :-?
I'm 52 and I've been single, empty nest syndrome for over 10 years. Life without my children has turned my life around completely!
Jesus is the way. If we don't serve Jesus, then what have we left?
Nothing but service to self for selfish means to the end. And that gets old real fast! Serve Jesus and you will find that life isn't so lonely.
If you need some personal grooming, then do it! who wants to be with a smelly old grouchy goat? If you need to socialize more, then do it! Who wants to be with someone that doesn't have any social life at all? Life gets really boring if you don't give yourself to others. And Life gets really lonely if you keep to yourself. share a little and see the big difference that takes place in your heart.
When I stick to myself that's exactly what I get. A sticky stinky mess that is all to self absorbed! when you are full of yourself, it stinks!
At least for me that's how it is.
So when you get out of yourself and give to others. share and serve with the Love of Jesus in your heart. Then YOU aren't so lonely and all alone.
Get out and meet people. Quit hurting yourself. Don't grieve the spirit. Do no harm to anyone! Not even yourself.
We make our own choices.
Be of good cheer and share it. quit griping and complaining about how rotten life is.
If it is so rotten then plant some seeds in that rotten and watch the Lord make a new plant grow out of the rot. But first the seed must be planted.
Good seed produces good fruits.
Bad seed don't produce anything but thorns and thistles.
Be careful the seeds you plant!
Music is good, But it must not rule your life.
Jesus leads us to the light and His goodness is in that light.
READ THE BIBLE and befriend Jesus. Have a personal relationship with Jesus.
When I feel like life isn't serving me well enough. I ask Jesus to help me get out of myself and help me to serve him. A lot of the time time it is just a simple thing. like clean the house so when the time is right. Your house will be in order! Literally and figuratively.
Sounds to me like some people need to read the scriptures more and find the goodness in them and make that goodness, the promise of the Word as your own. Claim it. Don't neglect it!
Faith is hope in things not seen.
Faith is something we all need to work on perfecting.
Perfecting our faith. Jesus shows how to do that.
If anyone thinks that a relationship is based on how much sex you have in your life you are so wrong! Sexual sin is not what I want in my life! That is not what makes for good relationship! married or not! And guess what!
I'd rather be alone in life, I'd rather be without that sin in my life than with someone that wants to sin!
If you can't have a relationship with the opposite sex without having to have sex with them then maybe that's why you feel so lonely! Because you are expecting to have sex outside of marriage and that is not the Godly thing to do. So you end up lonely and without someone in your life!
Learn to have a relationship without sex! And you will not be so lonely!
Self gratification is not the answer! It is only the road to more loneliness!
Let Jesus teach you what relationship is all about.
Sorry if I appeared to harsh. But some people just need a good kick in the pants! I did! Now I don't live such a lonely life!
Be social ! Not sexual! and then see the difference that makes in your life!
Befriend people. Don't expect anything in return! Just be a friend! And you will be loved more than you'll ever know!
Stop taking so much! Go and sin no more. That's what Jesus teaches us. So live by what Jesus teaches us and see the difference. Stop letting things rule your life and let the teaching of Jesus show you the way of life that will not let you down. The light of Jesus never lets you down. It is when you stop focusing on Jesus is when you are letting yourself down and out of the light of the love He teaches us about!
What you focus on is what you become.
Focus on the right things and your selfishness will change for the better.
Give and share.
.
.
.
.
If you let go and move into the now, make the best of the now, that is what you will have. Stop holding onto the past so tightly. Let go and let God work in you and through you with love in your heart and nothing expecting to come back to you!
Find the things to appreciate from the scripture. There are plenty things to appreciate. Be even glad you have a roof over your head! Be even glad you have food to eat! Look at all the other people in this world that have no shelter or food or clothing! Being lonely is nothing when you think about the things others don't have. And being well taken care of is a gift from God! We need to Help others not just be so concerned about how lonely we are. Relationship with a mate for the sake of just having a mate is not what life is about! We are here on this earth to help others and to serve Jesus with the same kind of love he gave to others. His time on earth was for the helping of others. What is a wife or a husband if you are not serving for the same reasons? Is sex the reason you want a relationship? Or is it because you want a help mate to serve the Lord together. If you get a mate that is of a different mindset. That isn't serving the Lord . You will only be headed in the wrong direction if you don't have the love of Christ working you your life.
Conflict comes from not being in the Love of Jesus Christ. Make a relationship with Jesus first! Then see how your life changes for the better.
Make Jesus your mate! This is the time to get to know Jesus more and better! That is the kind of love that sustains us! Not the love of the fleshly, material kind! Whether you have a partner in life or not. If you are in the right kind of love that Jesus teaches you to be in then being alone will not be so painful! Christ Jesus, the Holy spirit becomes your guide. Not some spirit that directs your thoughts to your own feelings of loneliness. If you feel lonely then what are you focusing on... Self, or the love of the Holy Spirit that teaches unselfishness and how to reach out to others in life?
Read the bible and get the GOODNESS out of it! That is your promise from God. The goodness of His BLESSINGS. IF we follow his ways. If we ignore the word of the good news gospel then we don't get anything but what we preach and practice. preach and practice the Good HOLY word and you will be not so grumpy and lonely.
Spread the gospel and help others. That is what we are commissioned to do! Lift each other up in the love of Christ. Don't be so grumpy that you can't see the goodness around you. We need to share that which is good. Keep to yourself and you will get just that. nothing but yourself. :-?
I'm 52 and I've been single, empty nest syndrome for over 10 years. Life without my children has turned my life around completely!
Jesus is the way. If we don't serve Jesus, then what have we left?
Nothing but service to self for selfish means to the end. And that gets old real fast! Serve Jesus and you will find that life isn't so lonely.
If you need some personal grooming, then do it! who wants to be with a smelly old grouchy goat? If you need to socialize more, then do it! Who wants to be with someone that doesn't have any social life at all? Life gets really boring if you don't give yourself to others. And Life gets really lonely if you keep to yourself. share a little and see the big difference that takes place in your heart.
When I stick to myself that's exactly what I get. A sticky stinky mess that is all to self absorbed! when you are full of yourself, it stinks!
At least for me that's how it is.
So when you get out of yourself and give to others. share and serve with the Love of Jesus in your heart. Then YOU aren't so lonely and all alone.
Get out and meet people. Quit hurting yourself. Don't grieve the spirit. Do no harm to anyone! Not even yourself.
We make our own choices.
Be of good cheer and share it. quit griping and complaining about how rotten life is.
If it is so rotten then plant some seeds in that rotten and watch the Lord make a new plant grow out of the rot. But first the seed must be planted.
Good seed produces good fruits.
Bad seed don't produce anything but thorns and thistles.
Be careful the seeds you plant!
Music is good, But it must not rule your life.
Jesus leads us to the light and His goodness is in that light.
READ THE BIBLE and befriend Jesus. Have a personal relationship with Jesus.
When I feel like life isn't serving me well enough. I ask Jesus to help me get out of myself and help me to serve him. A lot of the time time it is just a simple thing. like clean the house so when the time is right. Your house will be in order! Literally and figuratively.
Sounds to me like some people need to read the scriptures more and find the goodness in them and make that goodness, the promise of the Word as your own. Claim it. Don't neglect it!
Faith is hope in things not seen.
Faith is something we all need to work on perfecting.
Perfecting our faith. Jesus shows how to do that.
If anyone thinks that a relationship is based on how much sex you have in your life you are so wrong! Sexual sin is not what I want in my life! That is not what makes for good relationship! married or not! And guess what!
I'd rather be alone in life, I'd rather be without that sin in my life than with someone that wants to sin!
If you can't have a relationship with the opposite sex without having to have sex with them then maybe that's why you feel so lonely! Because you are expecting to have sex outside of marriage and that is not the Godly thing to do. So you end up lonely and without someone in your life!
Learn to have a relationship without sex! And you will not be so lonely!
Self gratification is not the answer! It is only the road to more loneliness!
Let Jesus teach you what relationship is all about.
Sorry if I appeared to harsh. But some people just need a good kick in the pants! I did! Now I don't live such a lonely life!
Be social ! Not sexual! and then see the difference that makes in your life!
Befriend people. Don't expect anything in return! Just be a friend! And you will be loved more than you'll ever know!
Stop taking so much! Go and sin no more. That's what Jesus teaches us. So live by what Jesus teaches us and see the difference. Stop letting things rule your life and let the teaching of Jesus show you the way of life that will not let you down. The light of Jesus never lets you down. It is when you stop focusing on Jesus is when you are letting yourself down and out of the light of the love He teaches us about!
What you focus on is what you become.
Focus on the right things and your selfishness will change for the better.
Give and share.
.
.
.
.
.
NEEDED THE QUIET
I needed the quiet so He drew me aside,
Into the shadows where we could confide,
Away from the bustle where all the day long
I hurried and worried when active and strong.
I needed the quiet though at first I rebelled.
But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things.
Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings
To heights never dreamed of when active and gay
(gay meaning; festive or in the state of merriment) .
He loved me so greatly He drew me away.
I needed the quiet. No prison my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead–
A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide,
I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.
–Alice Hansche Mortenson
NEEDED THE QUIET
I needed the quiet so He drew me aside,
Into the shadows where we could confide,
Away from the bustle where all the day long
I hurried and worried when active and strong.
I needed the quiet though at first I rebelled.
But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things.
Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings
To heights never dreamed of when active and gay
(gay meaning; festive or in the state of merriment) .
He loved me so greatly He drew me away.
I needed the quiet. No prison my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead–
A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide,
I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.
–Alice Hansche Mortenson
Overcoming Loneliness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of all His creations, God saw in man the need for companionship: "It is not good," the Lord said in Genesis 2:18, "for the man to be alone."
From the very beginning, God recognized the problems of isolation. Adam needed someone with which to talk, relate, and share and experience life. Even though Adam and Eve ruined their opportunity for perfect fellowship, their relationship continued after the fall. They chose not to be alone.
Needless to say, our modern civilization has little in common with that of our earliest ancestors. Today, we spend countless hours on the goâ€â€sitting in traffic, working in a cubicle, shopping for groceries, making cell phone calls, and numerous other mundane, day-to-day tasks.
We're constantly surrounded by other peopleâ€â€whether it be at work, church, the mall, or on the interstateâ€â€yet, in the midst of this crowd, we are a terribly lonely nation. Albert Einstein expressed this emptiness when he said: "It is strange to be known so universally and yet . . . be so lonely."
As Paul wrote to Timothy, he explained how almost everyone he knew had deserted him, yet "the Lord stood with [him] and strengthened [him]" through it all. (2 Timothy 4:17) Christ was sufficient for Paul.
Jesus himself knew the painful feeling of loneliness. As He hung alone on the cross, He cried out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) Even Christ knew the sting of unwanted isolation.
However, Jesus also knew the positive effects of being alone. He often sought out solitudeâ€â€which is a desired time of isolationâ€â€to speak with the Father and focus on His task at hand. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus says, "go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret." Christ recognized the positive affects that intentional time alone can bring.
As believers, our focus should always be set on the example of Christ. Instead of seeking fulfillment through Jesus, however, many of us attempt all types of methods to heal our desperate sense of detachment.
We spend myriad hours on the internet, watching television and movies, playing games, obsessing over our careers, and searching for alternative ways to fill the void in our lives. We bounce around in "ricochet romances," seeking one unhealthy relationship after another to satisfy our longing for completeness.
It's vital to remember, though, that the only way to cure our loneliness is by first admitting it is there. Then, we can begin the process of allowing Christ to heal our emotional wounds.
Once we confess our unwanted isolation, we can recall the promises of the Bible: God "will not fail you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). Next, we should think about developing relationships that allow us to serve someone else. There are few things more fulfilling than offering our valuable time and effort to someone in need. As the holidays approach, we should think of ways in which we can get involved and serve othersâ€â€possibly through our churches or communities.
Finallyâ€â€and most importantâ€â€we must develop an intimate and personal relationship with Christ. Over and over again, Jesus tells us that He is sufficient for all our needs. Through this fulfilling bond, Christ can eternally cure our loneliness.
If your earthly relationships are unfulfilling and you long for that ultimate connection with someone, remember the sacrifice that God made to have a bond with you. Admit your feelings of loneliness today and rely on God to lead you out of despair.
**Visit our audio archive online to listen to Dr. Stanley's sermon "How to Handle our Loneliness." www.intouch.org/howtohandleourloneliness
• In Touch (Friday, March 19, 2004)
source: http://www.oneplace.com/Articles/Print-Friendly.asp?article_id=724
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of all His creations, God saw in man the need for companionship: "It is not good," the Lord said in Genesis 2:18, "for the man to be alone."
From the very beginning, God recognized the problems of isolation. Adam needed someone with which to talk, relate, and share and experience life. Even though Adam and Eve ruined their opportunity for perfect fellowship, their relationship continued after the fall. They chose not to be alone.
Needless to say, our modern civilization has little in common with that of our earliest ancestors. Today, we spend countless hours on the goâ€â€sitting in traffic, working in a cubicle, shopping for groceries, making cell phone calls, and numerous other mundane, day-to-day tasks.
We're constantly surrounded by other peopleâ€â€whether it be at work, church, the mall, or on the interstateâ€â€yet, in the midst of this crowd, we are a terribly lonely nation. Albert Einstein expressed this emptiness when he said: "It is strange to be known so universally and yet . . . be so lonely."
As Paul wrote to Timothy, he explained how almost everyone he knew had deserted him, yet "the Lord stood with [him] and strengthened [him]" through it all. (2 Timothy 4:17) Christ was sufficient for Paul.
Jesus himself knew the painful feeling of loneliness. As He hung alone on the cross, He cried out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) Even Christ knew the sting of unwanted isolation.
However, Jesus also knew the positive effects of being alone. He often sought out solitudeâ€â€which is a desired time of isolationâ€â€to speak with the Father and focus on His task at hand. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus says, "go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret." Christ recognized the positive affects that intentional time alone can bring.
As believers, our focus should always be set on the example of Christ. Instead of seeking fulfillment through Jesus, however, many of us attempt all types of methods to heal our desperate sense of detachment.
We spend myriad hours on the internet, watching television and movies, playing games, obsessing over our careers, and searching for alternative ways to fill the void in our lives. We bounce around in "ricochet romances," seeking one unhealthy relationship after another to satisfy our longing for completeness.
It's vital to remember, though, that the only way to cure our loneliness is by first admitting it is there. Then, we can begin the process of allowing Christ to heal our emotional wounds.
Once we confess our unwanted isolation, we can recall the promises of the Bible: God "will not fail you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). Next, we should think about developing relationships that allow us to serve someone else. There are few things more fulfilling than offering our valuable time and effort to someone in need. As the holidays approach, we should think of ways in which we can get involved and serve othersâ€â€possibly through our churches or communities.
Finallyâ€â€and most importantâ€â€we must develop an intimate and personal relationship with Christ. Over and over again, Jesus tells us that He is sufficient for all our needs. Through this fulfilling bond, Christ can eternally cure our loneliness.
If your earthly relationships are unfulfilling and you long for that ultimate connection with someone, remember the sacrifice that God made to have a bond with you. Admit your feelings of loneliness today and rely on God to lead you out of despair.
**Visit our audio archive online to listen to Dr. Stanley's sermon "How to Handle our Loneliness." www.intouch.org/howtohandleourloneliness
• In Touch (Friday, March 19, 2004)
source: http://www.oneplace.com/Articles/Print-Friendly.asp?article_id=724
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