Combatting Loneliness

March 30, 2020 by Anita Estes (New York, USA)

The LORD said to Joshua, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

— Joshua 1:5 (NIV)

The first year after my husband and I moved to Vermont, I enjoyed the novelty of it, but the harsh winter and cloudy days dampened my excitement. Then we moved further north, and my husband started working evenings. The cold, dark nights clung to me and left me lonely. Since I worked 20 miles away, I didn’t have many opportunities to make friends in my community. Alone in an old, drafty farmhouse, I spent many evenings crying out to God. “Lord, help me. It’s so cold and dark in this place, and I have no one to talk to but you.” That’s when I turned to prayer and reading my Bible on a daily basis. I discovered rich gems of truth, such as “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Josh. 1:5), and “you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Ps. 9:10). When I prayed, I felt the presence of God envelop me like a warm blanket. Jesus became my best friend. 

Today, the world is full of lonely people. Though modern technology connects us, communicating via a screen is not the same as face-to-face interaction. And we are often so busy that we hardly have time for our relationships. In addition, the corona virus has put a new disturbing face on loneliness. More so than ever, lonely people abound in hospitals, nursing homes, and even our own residences. 

What can we do? We can pray and ask God how we can help. We can volunteer or befriend a lonely person. We can introduce others to friendship with God. We can’t combat every problem, but we can reach out to others with the love of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Father, We pray for those who are feeling lonely and in need of a friend. Be with them and show us how we can help. Thank you for your ever-present friendship. Amen.

Anita Estes (New York, USA)



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