CONDUITS OF COMFORT - Part Two: A Disease Called Loneliness

Depression. Insomnia. Sleeping too much. Weight loss. Weight gain. Lack of Appetite. Hypertension. Digestive Problems. Ulcers....Sounds like a disease diagnosis doesn't it? It is! And the disease is called loneliness.

Many of us has had, and some still suffer from this disease. The malady of loneliness has been widely studied. Health care professionals and social scientist alike all agree that loneliness is a real, serious disease. University of Chicago's social psychologist, John Cacioppo suggests that chronic loneliness can have significantly adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, causing a chain reaction that consequently leads to other problems that are just as serious, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

You can be socially connected to 1,000 people on Facebook and still be lonely. Not because your life isn't crowed, but because your world is empty. Being lonely is not the same as being alone. People are usually okay being alone. Being alone are the times that help us to renew our minds, discover our inner-selves, and commune with an awesome God! But loneliness? Loneliness is like looking in the mirror and nothing stares back. It is like an echo; when you cry out, the only voice that comes back to you is your own; hollow, blank, lifeless.

God did not make man (woman) to be alone. He knew that it wold be an unhealthy state to exist in. That is why being lonely is so devastating. It is so easy to see how this disease can strike. The mental immune system is weak, allowing the germ of loneliness to infiltrate the system. It can become all-consuming, reeking havoc on the mind and body.

However, as with most diseases, there is a cure. Also, as with most diseases, the cure is not a simple or easy fix. There are steps that must be followed; guidelines to adhere to or the results sought will not be realized. First and foremost we must remember that if God made us (which he most certainly did!) He knows our needs. It is not His desire for us to be alone. If we've never experienced real love, He wants us to. But we have to be willing to understand our role and be amendable to following the instructions on the prescription bottles.

One thing we do know is that Christ also suffered loneliness in a very brief moment when he felt His Father had left him. Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Also take comfort in the fact that Christ absolutely understands our loneliness.Hebrews 4:14-16 "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

We also have to remember that God will never leave us; he will never forsake us! He will give us what we need. What we need to do is first of all trust in Him and know that He will provide us with what we need to get through the next day of loneliness, and the next day, and the next day. Give it over to Him and wait on Him. Do I think it's easy? Heck no! Sometimes the loneliness I feel is so overwhelming that I cry, and cry, and cry; so hard until I wonder how I am able to even breathe! Do I lose faith sometimes? You bet! But then I remember that "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147.3 He will hold me up, hold my hand, hold it so tight that I can't let go! Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Am I still scared? You better believe it! However, I've found that focusing on the needs of others helps tremendously. Taking me out of the way and putting my energies in working for His kingdom feels takes away the pain.

We need to learn to trust God to provide for our needs. We cannot expect Him to answer our prayers, to provide for our needs and to comfort us in times of loneliness and we do nothing in return.  Our prescription includes reaching and encouraging others; believing in God and doing  what He says to do - [like] keeping  His Commandments! We have to live by every Word of God. The entire Bible is written by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16), so we must believe the Bible and live by it.

Do I get tired sometimes? Absolutely yes!  Loneliness is a disease can tear us down, cause depression and negatively impact our health.. But our Father says He will take care of everything! He provides for the sparrows; He can certainly provide for us (Luke 12:6-7). God is a loving Father who loves us even more than any parent loves his or her little child. Learn to trust Him to care for every need you have. Lean on him; when you find yourself falling, wrap your arms around him. When you want to give up, wrap your legs around him, feel the warmth of Him; hear the steady heartbeat and don't let go! Your battle is won, just let Him do it in His own time!