“The Loneliness Epidemic” was the title of a headline on the December 2019/January 2020 AARP magazine I read at Mom and Dad’s house. The article states, “Loneliness is a killer – an array of studies have found that it leaves us more likely to die from heart disease and is a contributing factor in other fatal conditions. It makes us more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, suicide, even the common cold. It’s more dangerous to our health, researchers tell us, than obesity, and it’s the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
It is an interesting article and I recommend it to you as fascinating reading and future encouragement because if you aren’t lonely, you certainly know someone who is, and indeed, you one day may be.
I get lonely sometimes, but often it’s when I’m not alone. It seems I am loneliest in a room full of strangers. Perhaps you are the same way. I can still feel like the new kid, sitting alone at in the lunchroom or recess and I can let my insecurities get in the way of reaching out to new people. I feel like Moses surely must have felt in Exodus 4:10, “I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (NASB).
I believe we all feel lonesome sometimes. On days when I am overwhelmed with loneliness, I need to remember that I am never alone.
“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.” Psalm 139: 7-10
“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.” Isaiah 41:10
Although I may feel alone, I know I’m never alone. You aren’t either. I hope you draw strength from these verses. Blessings to you as we continue this journey!
