The problem of loneliness has made news headlines lately. From CNN to NBC to FNC, it’s reported that loneliness is now a national epidemic.
Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, has released an official government 81 page report calling for “a national framework to rebuild social connection and community in America.”
It is ironic that in an age of social media connection, so many are actually disconnected from real life relationships. You can live in a large community, but feel lonely. You can attend a big church, but feel alone.
Interestingly, in the first book of the Bible God said, “It is not good that man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18). In that instant God ordered the family when He made a wife for Adam, “a helper fit for him.”
In a similar way, God ordained a spiritual family, the Bible calls the church. It’s a relationship where we’re called to do more than just believe, but to belong. The numerous “one another” commands in the New Testament remind us that community is important. That fellowship is vital. That interaction and involvement are necessary ingredients, not only to further ministry, and to aid others, but for our own personal growth and spiritual welfare.
Christians can help solve the loneliness problem that plagues our culture by applying some Biblical exhortations.
#1 It begins by truly caring about the plight of other people.
Paul admonished the Corinthians to “care for one another” (1 Cor. 12:25). Don’t ignore those who are hurting, isolated, and disenfranchised. Reach out. “Comfort one another” (1 Thess. 4:18). “Encourage one another” (1 Thess. 5:11). “Edify one another” (Rom. 14:19).
#2 Apply the second great commandment.
“Love your neighbor, as yourself,” (Matt. 22:37). Of course, the second commandment works best when we apply the first. “Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” As Barclay observed, “It is only when we love God that man becomes lovable.” Withdrawn and reclusive people may be more difficult to love, but we need to see a soul that’s hurting, and seek their welfare.
#3 Do good.
The first two points are more attitudinal, but they should motivate us to action. “Do good” is a repeated refrain in the Bible. It needs little explanation. We have an innate understanding of what it means to be good and do good. This is the essence of being “the salt of the earth,” and “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-16).
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10).
While doing good prioritizes the church family, it includes all of mankind. Warren Wiersbe was right when he wrote, “It is not only by words that we witness to the lost but also by our works. In fact, our works pave the way for our verbal witness; they win us the right to be heard.”
In the words of the 19th century missionary, Stephen Grellett, “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
#4 View helping the lonely as a ministry.
Those who are connected and emotionally healthy bear a responsibility to those who are hurting, lonely and isolated. Some people through the circumstances of life find themselves alone through no fault of their own. Those suffering the death of a loved one. The divorced. Single people. The aged in a nursing home. People who’ve been transferred by their employer to a new location
God calls us to minister to those who are weak. Suffering. Sick. Aged. Alone. And hurting. (Rom. 14:1; Jas. 1:27: 1 Cor. 12:26; 1 Thess. 5:14). Reach out through a visit. Meeting for lunch. A phone call. A card. A text message. Help them feel connected.
#5 Help yourself.
Understanding there are different degrees of loneliness. Some may have sunk to despair and need professional help. However, many lonely people can help themselves by not solely focusing on themselves, but other people (Phil. 2:3-4)
The English poet John Oxenham expressed it this way:
“Art thou lonely, O my brother?
Share thy little with another!
Stretch a hand to one unfriended,
And thy loneliness is ended.”
Finally, we need to be reminded that as Christians we are never truly alone. God is near. God cares. God knows. And God hears our pleas. “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you” (Ps. 55:22).
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman