Loneliness

Loneliness is strange, isn’t it? In my experience, loneliness has less to do with proximity and more to do with depth. You can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. We often say we are lonely when we feel overlooked or unknown. You may be acquainted with the men and women in your workplace, but you can still feel isolated in the office. You may be surrounded by children who talk and play with you; who sit in your lap all day long, yet still feel lonely. You may walk through crowded halls on your school’s campus and feel like you might as well be the only person there.

When I first moved to a new city, there was a woman at church who invited me to lunch with her and a few of her friends. “This will be better than having lunch by myself in my apartment,” I thought. But I sat at the table and felt utterly alone. There was longevity and depth to their friendships that would take me years to develop. All of my history and depth and familiarity was thirteen hours away.

Maybe you feel lonely for the same reason. Are there multiple people in your proximity? Probably. But is there depth and familiarity? Do you feel known and valued? If not, you are not alone—although the enemy is doing his best to make you think so. God wants you to remember that He loves you. He knows you better than anyone else and cares for you deeply. In fact, Jesus says that we are His friends (John 15:13). Jesus is the most patient, trustworthy, wise, caring friend who will never betray or desert you.

However, we were also made for companionship with others, so don’t give up pressing into relationships. God has created you intentionally and specifically. He knows you and He also knows that other people need a friend like you.