Loneliness kills. It’s as powerful as smoking or alcoholism. -Waldinger
In a world of being ‘friended’ and ‘unfriended’, acceptance and belonging have been reduced to photos, Tweets and images of the best of our lives. Vacation spots and smiling faces. Highlights of proud moments, but little of what floods our hearts with everything that makes us human.
Yet loneliness and social isolation are heralded as the new international health epidemic, reducing life expectancy up to 29% for those in its grasp. Why? A multitude of reasons exist. The propensity to live crazy busy. Fear of being truly known. Failing marriages and even fewer heart-level friendships.
Made in the image of God, we are designed for relationship. For community. For sharing our deepest hurts and greatest joys with one another. For laughter shared over a cup tea and tears of companionship in times of loss.
[bbctt tweet="Loneliness invites herself into their lives and ours..."]
Married women. Single women. Women with homes filled with children and women with empty wombs. Women of every age, color and status. Loneliness invites herself into their lives and ours and embeds unhealthy thoughts and habits in vulnerable hearts and minds.
For some, sharp-tipped words prick our souls as we wonder. Will I ever be enough? Will I ever belong? Will I ever matter? Others of us battle depression or allow the demands of a full schedule to rise above the need for community.
[bbctt tweet="You are a woman worth knowing.You are enough and you do matter.#nomoreloneliness#John3:16#toknowafriendbeafriend"]
Friend, loneliness is a joy-stealing, heart-wrenching, life-altering burden. If she is your unwelcome companion, can I challenge you to take action? Step out of her shadow today and invite someone else to take her place. Call a friend you’d once known well and reconnect. Call, text or message that woman you’ve wanted to get to know.
You are a woman worth knowing. You are enough and you do matter.
Praying for you today,
Tammy
d minds.
Our crazy, social media crazed world makes us feel more connected than we actually are. I love this reminder to make sure we stay actually connected to people and not let social media rule our imperfect perceptions.
Perfect advice! Reach out. Join a community. Make contact with someone. Just don’t be lonely anymore! We are all made in the image of a loving and merciful God!
We all need our own Aaron or Hur to hold our arms up when we’re unable. God made us for relationship!