Loneliness is not funny. It eats you up deep. It messes with your mind. It pushes you to drive people away from you. And ahh, it is possible to be in the midst of much people and still be lonely because loneliness isn’t in the absence of people, but in the presence of an inner disconnect from people!
Anyone can feel left out & isolated once in a while. It is also not a big deal to self isolate at certain times – not corona induced – but to refresh, relive, reevaluate, & restructure. But the social pain of being alone only becomes destiny threatening when it begins to interfere with our daily living. This is when we stop functioning because we feel abandoned by life!
It hurts more with hurts!
The feeling of being alone becomes magnified when it is reinforced by real or imagined betrayals from family, friends & associates. The longer one mourns the hurt & internalises it, the more the trust quotient gets diminished & he/she begins to unknowingly erect social barriers.
Sometimes, it is the sense of being awkward or unable to meet family, social or religious expectations that intensifies the feeling of aloneness. This is the “no one understands me & my struggles” situation. It is the “I don’t really belong” pain. And then hiding feels like the only thing to do.
Jesus felt alone & forsaken too!
That’s the fun thing about a personal walk with Jesus Christ. He isn’t an aloof, impersonal deity, but God who became man & walked the path we thread now. He was misunderstood, betrayed, rejected & yes, he felt forsaken & alone. Remember, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (Mk 15:34.)
And so, for anyone fighting the social pain of loneliness, it is important to know that you are not alone & that the malaise is survivable. Yes, you can break out of the pain & you can still thrive in relationships. And Jesus will be with you
Let’s try this today;
- go outdoors & do physical exercise
- call someone & engage in small talk
- get counsel from a trusted source
- immerse yourself in faith community
- do some volunteer community service
- reach out to rebuild your relationships
And most importantly, PRAY!
Maybe this promise can help as you reach out to God for help & healing;
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – Heb 4:14-16
Prayer:
The Lord break every siege against your life! Let dark clouds disperse immediately! I speak favour & grace results into your life in Jesus Christ name!
Much Love
George Izunwa
Jesus Exceeds Expectations!