Addressing the Lie of Loneliness

28 October 2024

ENCOURAGE

Affirmation: "God is with me. I am never alone."

As we enter this new week, I want to remind you that you are never alone.

I remember a time in my life where I felt incredibly lonely. It was right after letting go of some deeply close friendships that no longer fit where God was taking me, and I noticed God was bringing new people into my life. It was hard to accept because on one hand I was excited for what was the new and the "next," and on the other hand I was dreading getting to know people all over again. I was just emotionally exhausted and nervous to make new friends in Christ because I never had REAL Christ centered relationships before; The only reference I had for friendships in Christ were from a brief point in my childhood and those relationships were traumatic and wildly inauthentic, so developing Christ-centered friendships as an adult was completely new territory for me.

The level of loneliness I felt was to the point where I could be in a room full of people and still feel like a ghost. I could hear the words "I love you," and it'd roll right off me like water. I could be surrounded with loved ones, or in conversations with newfound friends and feel completely empty and alone. I guess I was looking to be seen, known, and loved not realizing that God had already begun placing new people in my life who were doing that, but I was so blinded by the belief that I was alone that I couldn't receive their love. My mindset was blinding me from the truth that I was not alone, and even in the brief time where I literally did not have ONE soul safe enough to confide in, God was still with me, but I had exchanged that truth for the lie that I was alone.

During this time, I was so desperately wanting to experience real, deep connections with people that I abandoned opportunities to connect with God. When I'd feel lonely, I'd call a friend or family member, scroll on social media, or watch Christian YouTubers/sermons just to connect with anything, instead of going to God. Every time I resorted to these outlets I'd immediately feel more distant, more alone, and more isolated than before. It's because I was running to empty wells to be filled when I should have run to the well that never runs dry: Jesus.

I realized that throughout all this time of me seeking relief from loneliness and wallowing in desperation for meaningful connections, God was waiting for me to make meaningful connections with Him. He was waiting on me to turn my worries over to Him. He was waiting on me to surrender the lie of loneliness to Him, but I was stuck in the grief of what I let go, instead of gratitude for what I had, which was Him and the new, purpose-oriented relationships He brought into my life. Upon this revelation, I repented and asked Him to deliver me from the loneliness I was feeling and show me that I was not alone. Sure enough, He did it through His word:

Psalm 139:12

"Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.​
​If I take the wings of the morning,
​And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You."

The truth is, if we are looking for external solutions to an internal problem, you will always be let down. No romantic relationship, friendship, family member, colleague, stranger, etc will ever cure your loneliness, because loneliness is your soul's longing to be seen, known, and loved. The only person who does all three perfectly is God. He sees you, loves you, and knows you like no one ever will. He adores you, wants to love on you and be loved on by you, even when you're feeling lonely. He cares about our relationships, and desires that we develop and thrive in them, but He desires more that your satisfaction comes from Him alone, before anyone else.

I share this story with you because I know some of you are feeling lonely right now and seeking relief.

Friend, you are not alone. In times of loneliness, we need to remember the omnipresence of God. We must remember that the true and living God lives inside of us, and He is more than enough for us. He is closer than a brother, and even closer than our next breath. We must remember that His Spirit is our Comforter, Counselor, and Helper, and in His presence we find fullness of joy. I encourage you today that whenever you start to feel lonely, don't immediately run to call a friend, or to a distraction to fill the void. Run to Jesus FIRST, because truly His presence is the only one that can satisfy your every need.

EQUIP

Meditation Scriptures:

Psalm 139 (NKJV)

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

John 14:15-18 (AMP and NKJV)

BUILD

Call to Action: Listen and meditate on the song below. If you are feeling alone, go to God in prayer and ask for what you need from Him using the relational nutrients tool below.

​Worship Link (Psalm 23/I am Not Alone by People & Songs ft. Josh Sherman)

​Relational Nutrients Tool (Source: People Fuel by Dr. John Townsend)