Most of us at some point have felt the pangs of loneliness. The ache inside. The heart pain at the loss of someone dear to us, in a season of isolation, with a lack of companionship.  Loneliness, an emotional response that affects us not only emotionally but physically mentally, and spiritually as well.

If you are shaking your head at these words. If you have been there, in the pit of loneliness. Know this…you are not alone. Truly. Many of us experience loneliness in all different seasons of life. Being young or old, having children or none, having the dream job or not. We all deal with loneliness.

We are creatures of connection. God designed us to desire friendship, companionship. Even Jesus desired companionship and felt loneliness too. As Jesus lived on this earth He was often faced with opposition and dislike. Jesus spent many nights alone without family or friends who could comfort Him or even understand. On the cross, Jesus even had to endure the turning away of His Father. Jesus knows loneliness. And the beauty of that is He is present to comfort us, comfort you now. Who better to comfort than One who understands!

Some days I get a little frustrated at the fact that my daughter wants my attention, companionship. I am going about the house, doing my own thing and I hear her. One hand, two hand, pat, pat…against the hard floor. Little cries coming from deep within…Mama mamum mum! I turn. Frustrated I must stop what I am doing. Then I realize, she is just like me. I too desire friendship. I too do not like being alone. Haven’t I? Even recently called out to my Father. Cried to Him, I just want a friend. I just want someone to laugh with. I want someone who understands me.

Yes, I have been on my knees. “Father, listen to me. I am alone. Send me a friend.” He has never responded in frustration. He has never been annoyed by my requests. He gently calms my anxious heart. He so patiently reminds me of His Son. He shows me that I am not alone.

When I became a mother I was shocked when loneliness came. I thought having a child would magically make that feeling disappear. Boy, was I wrong! A baby crying in my arms. Helplessness. Insecurity. Loneliness. Being a mother does not exempt us from being lonely. The neat thing is that all of us mothers can relate on some level. We all have experienced the sleepless nights, the illnesses that lock us in the house for days or weeks, the 24/7 job. Because of this experience though unpleasant, can we not comfort one another, encourage? Can we not show understanding and empathy whether we are in that season or not?

Even when loneliness pains our heart we can give and receive comfort. We are created for connection. Reaching out pulls us out of isolation and into companionship.

Do not believe the lie. You are not alone.

 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ESV