The elderly man posted mournful adoption ads and flyers in bus stops and places about town.

“Lonely old man in his 80s. Strong-bodied. Can shop, cook and take care of himself. No chronic illness. I retired from a scientific research institute in Tianjin, with a monthly pension of 6,000 RMB (USD1344) a month. I won’t go to a nursing home. My hope is that a kindhearted person or family will adopt me, nourish me through old age and bury my body when I’m dead.”

Struck by the man’s plight, I wondered how many of us can relate to his heart’s cry.

I’m worth something. I’m willing to work for love and acceptance. I’ll give all that I have for just a crumb of kindness. An ounce of approval. Won’t someone love me? Just a little?

Have you, too, experienced loneliness? Felt isolated?

How the Struggle With Loneliness Can Lead Us Toward God

Most of us recognize the sense of abandonment that invades a needy soul during such times. Once in a while, these are the difficult feelings that remind us of our need for others. The importance of connection rather than Facebook pretension. The value of friendship rather than selfish ambition.

At other times, the Father may lead us to a lonely place where we’ll be reminded of the One who extends beyond the human longing for relationship and leads us toward spiritual fulfillment. Away from loneliness into the arms of a loving Father. Out from under the shadow of rejection into the everlasting promise of holy adoption.

Consider these words from scripture,

“I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, 
says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18) Click To Tweet

“I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18) Oh, the relief and joy of total acceptance and complete love!

 

How the Struggle With Loneliness Can Lead Us Inward

Sometimes, though, instead of clinging to the words of scripture, we settle into our emotions and hide in the shadows. Messages birthed by the Enemy gain shape in our darkest imagination.

You are unwanted. Unworthy. Unlovable.

Rather than guiding us toward hope, the taunts of the Deceiver grow ever larger—filling the space once occupied by living. Laughter. Love. And we begin to despair as depression assumes headship.

Like the pounding of a hammer against a nail, the thought rings loud, “Isn’t there more than this hurt? This grief? This aching, incessant pain?

And we scoff at the familiar Sunday school song, ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’–doubting happiness even exists.

The Cruel Habit Loneliness Breeds

 If you are hiding in the shadows, Friend, convinced that life is purposeless and pain is your lot, please know:

• You are loved. (Psalm 86:5)
• You are seen. (Genesis 16:7-12)
• You are heard. (1 Peter 3:12)
• You are chosen. (Col. 3:12)
• You are treasured. (Duet. 7:6)
• You are a delight to God. (Zeph. 3:17)

Loneliness has a cruel habit of cloaking truth while depression obscures hope. #loneliness Click To Tweet

Loneliness has a cruel habit of cloaking truth while depression obscures hope. This is the position in which the Liar of old wants us to reside. Unlike our Eternal Hope, he comes to “kill, steal, and destroy”.

Strategies to Overcome Loneliness

Raise your hands to heaven, dear one, and cry out to the God who bends low to hear even unuttered prayers. He will give you the strength to endure this moment. This hour. This day.

If You’re (Not) Happy and You Know It Challenge

Loneliness is a silent soul killer and depression crouches next door. If you struggle with depression and its neighbor, I encourage you to take the If You’re (Not) Happy and You Know It Challenge.

1. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, pastor, or counselor. Clinical depression requires a network of people who will provide support and prayer.
2. Schedule one or two proactive, depression-busting activities each day. For example, set and hold to a regular sleep schedule, exercise regimen, or healthy eating cycle. Add one more positive habit to your “to-do” list every few days to aid in eliminating unhealthy choices (i.e. not eating enough, eating too much, spending hours in front of the screen, avoiding interaction with others).
3. Volunteer Offering to help others boosts the feel-good centers in our brains and boosts our ability to meaningfully connect with others.
4. Seek medical assistance. If you’re consumed with thoughts of self-harm or have a plan to hurt yourself, call the suicide hotline at 1 (800) 273-8255. Give yourself the opportunity to rediscover happiness. You are worth it!

 

 

Peace and grace,
Tammy

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