3 Ways to Combat Loneliness
Our planet is lonely. There are millions of people in the world, yet so many deal with loneliness. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites provide a false connection with others, and we feel the need for authentic relationships.
Where do we turn when we feel alone and even abandoned? I have felt the sting of loneliness many times. I have fond myself asking God, “Why am I so alone and sad? What am I supposed to do the fix this?” I have found three things significantly helped me in this area.
1. Spend time reading Scripture
There are times when I feel so low that fear and anxiety seem to be my only friends. With friends like that, who needs enemies, right? If I can’t see truth clearly, I am tempted to completely freak out. It’s in times like this that emotions lie to us, but God’s word will always shine truth onto any situation. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
If your husband ignores you, or your friends ditch you, you will always have God. No human relationship can truly satisfy us anyway, so loneliness can drive you right to Jesus. In Him, you find wholeness and joy no matter who is or isn’t standing next to you. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
2. Cultivate friendship with your spouse
Marriage should not be drudgery! Find time to go have fun together. If this seems foreign to you, then start out by choosing an activity your spouse enjoys doing—something that will get the ball rolling. Some of the best marriages I know of are those that consist of spouses who are best friends above all else. They know how to play, relax, and enjoy life together.
It takes intentionality to make time for each other amidst the busyness of day-to-day life. Find new hobbies to enjoy together—hiking, camping, cooking, traveling . . . whatever! Just become best friends.
3. Be a friend
This might sound too easy, but it’s so important. I can easily get bummed out over having no friends to hang out with. But when I stop and think about it, I’m usually expecting them to come to me. I think it’s because I don’t want to put people out. Or maybe I don’t think I’m worthy of their time? A lot of my loneliness is a result of my own insecurities.Whatever the reason, I’m often too passive.
To have a friend, you must be a friend. Pick up the phone and initiate a coffee date. Send an encouraging text to a friend—just to brighten their day. Chances are, they’re also waiting for someone to reach out. In a recent conversation with my pastor, I shared that I was struggling with loneliness. I felt so sad for myself after I heard my words, I started to cry. He said, “I wish all the people who tell me this each week could somehow connect.” You see, there are many of us feeling this way. Let’s try to find each other, gals.
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