Loneliness

A person could be around thousands of people (at an athletic stadium, in a shopping mall, at school, etc.) and yet be a very lonely person. On the other hand, a person could be in the middle of a desert with the nearest person miles away and not be lonely. It is possible for a person to be alone but not lonely.

What is LONELINESS?

Below you will find several statements which describe loneliness. As you consider these statements, see if there are any that may apply to you.

Loneliness is having your closest friend miles away with no one else to share your pain or your joy.

Loneliness is missing a few days at school or work, and having no one notice.

Loneliness is the dread of going to the cafeteria and thinking there will be no one to sit with while you eat.

Loneliness is that deep, hollow feeling that says, "My opinions are not important to anyone."

Loneliness is that disturbing feeling that no one wants to talk to you.

Loneliness is wondering which of your "friends" are really true friends and which are just trying to use you.

Loneliness is that gnawing feeling that few, if any people, really care about you.

Loneliness is having no one notice or pay attention to you, acting as if you were not there.

Loneliness is thinking that everyone seems to be ignoring you and avoiding you.

Loneliness is seeing yourself as Mr./Miss Unpopular!

Loneliness is wondering why so few seem to care about your real needs and those things which are of greatest concern to you.

Loneliness is when others fail to give you what you feel you deserve, such as praise, recognition and gratitude.

THE SOLUTION
Here are two essential steps that must be followed if you are to successfully CONQUER loneliness

I. Forget Self and Draw Near to God

The living God wants to be your CLOSEST FRIEND! He is the nearest and dearest and best Friend that a person could ever have.

Is He a Person who should be closer to us than even our parents (see Psalm 27:10)?
Is He a Person that we should love far more than any other person (see Matthew 10:37)?
Is He a Friend who is true to the very end, even when all others should fail (see 2 Timothy 4:6,7,10,11,14,16,17)?
Is He a faithful Friend who will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5–6)?

In every man there is an emptiness and loneliness that only God can fill. Can you think of other reasons why not the living Lord perfectly qualified to be the best Friend of all?

Loneliness is only a surface problem. The real deep-seated problem is nothing but SELF-CENTEREDNESS. This is the ugly sin which actually causes and produces that terrible feeling of loneliness. The lonely person is the person who sees only himself and his own needs and desires. The lonely person has a "Me, Myself and I" complex. Instead of developing a concern for others, he is all wrapped up in himself.