“The Fight Against Loneliness” part 2
“The Fight Against Loneliness” part 2
Loneliness is “a sense of sadness or internal emptiness due to a lack of meaningful relationships and connection with others.”
In America, one out of every three people admits that they feel lonely “frequently,” “almost all the time,” or “all the time.”
And two out of every three young people between the ages of 12-25 say they deal with profound loneliness “almost all the time.”
Top reasons WHY people are lonely…
We’re too busy.
We’ve become too independent.
Families aren’t connecting like they used to.
Social media is replacing real conversations.
We’re too prideful.
We lack a genuine spiritual life.
In many ways…loneliness is a choice.
Q — How does God respond to our loneliness?
Genesis 2:7-8 (NIV) Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed.
2 Timothy 4:16-17 (NIV) At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength…
Our greatest need—above all else—is Him.
Psalm 23:4 (ESV) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…
A relationship with God was never meant to be the whole solution.
Genesis 2:18 (NASB) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone…”
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Psalm 68:6 (NIV) God sets the lonely in families…
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
“If we’ve chosen our way into loneliness…we can also choose our way out.”
Too busy: Slow down and make time for others.
Too independent: Admit we need others.
Disconnected family: Take time to connect intentionally.
Social Media: Turn our phones off and spend time with people.
Too prideful: Be vulnerable.
Lack of spiritual life: Spend more time with God.