Loneliness is an all-time high afflicted disease of all ages, social or economic status. Particularly in our digital era and pandemic plague, there are alarming rates of increasing loneliness in our society. And in the long term, the symptoms will become depression. People will depend on medication to heal for the rest of their lives.
The hurt of feeling alone isn’t new even in ancient days. Indeed, the pain of isolation echoes off the pages of the ancient book of Ecclesiastes. Often attributed King Solomon captured in the book as the sorrow of those who seem to lack any meaningful relationships. “Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless – a miserable business!” (Ecclesiastes 4:7–8)
The writer mourned that it’s possible to acquire significant wealth and yet experience no value from it because there’s no one to share it with. But the writer also recognized the beauty of companionship, writing that friends help you accomplish more than you could achieve on your own; companions help in times of need; partners bring comfort; and friends can provide protection in difficult situations. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Loneliness is not an easy struggle – if we are feeling alone, pray that God would help us form meaningful connections with others. God created us to offer and receive the benefits of friendship and community. We can find encouragement in the reality that the believer is never truly alone because Jesus’ Spirit is always with us. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)._____________________________________________________________________