Quotes on Loneliness
- "It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely." -- Albert Einstein
- "The round of pleasure or the amassing of wealth are [often] but vain attempts to escape from the persistent ache. The millionaire is usually a lonely man and the comedian is often more unhappy than his audience." -- J. Oswald Sanders
- "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty." -- Mother Teresa
Opening
The world is far more interconnected than ever before, yet loneliness continues to be even more pervasive. Social networks like Facebook, which somewhat relieving the sting of loneliness, can end up contributing to a deepening sense of isolation and loneliness.
NPR reports, "Not long ago, we reported on a new University of Michigan study that found the more young people used Facebook, the worse they felt. According to the research, Facebook use led to declines in moment-to-moment happiness and overall life satisfaction. But the New Yorker did some further digging and found a few recent studies that show the opposite — that using Facebook can make us happier."
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/09/16/223052837/whether-facebook-makes-you-lonely-depends-on-how-you-use-it
Elijah on the Run - 1 Kings 19:1-18
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.
Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”
So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.
But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
Lessons to learn from Elijah:
- Realize that although you may feel alone, you are never really alone.
- If you're lonely, you're in good company.
John 16:32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.
2 Timothy 4:16-18 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
- "Get up and eat!" -- God is always with you -- in the greatest of victories AND in the depths of depression and despair.
Proverbs 18:24 ESV A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Psalm 27:10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.
Hebrews 13:5b For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Matthew 28:20 I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
- "What are you doing here?" -- Loneliness often comes as a result of unmet expectations.
Elijah assumed he was alone, and complained that "everyone else" failed but him. Elijah may well have expected a complete and total victory on Mt. Carmel, even over Jezebel.
"Dependence on others for your happiness is a sure way to feel lonely even in a crowd. I have found that my loneliest times are when expectations of others are unmet." -- Grace Lavigne
"Relying on people to fill the void…" -- Michele Avery
- We feel most lonely when we feel unneeded, unwanted, unvalued, unheard, unappreciated, and overlooked. We feel like we could completely disappear and nobody would care… or even notice. And yet we don't dare say a word, much less let ourselves be vulnerable to others.
- There are always others. God has a greater plan, and never intends for life to be lived alone.
Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Psalm 68:6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
How to overcome loneliness
- "That's it's ok and it's good to want and need others… To know its ok to need love and it's ok to be loved and give love." -- Jennifer Wilbur
- "How about forcing yourself to be around others even when you do not want to?" -- Debby Baker
- Like Facebook, a digital reflection of 'real life' social interactions, loneliness is related to how involved (or uninvolved) you are. God designed life to be lived in fellowship with Him and with others.
- "Being content with where I am ... even if it is "alone" makes all the difference. Furthermore, there is satisfaction in knowing that He is near. Always." -- Grace Lavigne
- "When I was blessed with my salvation in Christ and learned to seek Him first, my life completely turned around and now I know I am never alone, He is always with me!" -- Michele Avery
- "Go back the way you came." -- You didn't become lonely overnight. Reach out to others. Find your place in the body of Christ. Look for the lonely around you, and find ways to alleviate their loneliness. Take care not to base your sense of happiness and well-being on others, but delight yourself in the Lord.
- Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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