Alone, but Never Lonely

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

(Psalms 34:17-18)

There is loneliness, and there is aloneness. Loneliness is different from being alone; at times everyone needs to be alone (like having time with God or ourselves away from the distractions of the world). But loneliness can occur when a person doesn’t feel whole when he’s alone. I actually love alone time…which doesn’t happen very often! But my heart goes out to the lonely; people who are filled with gray emptiness and sadness. Anyone can be affected by loneliness at times; isolation, depression and loneliness are among the most painful of human experiences.

Loneliness is…

• Affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome.

• A feeling of isolation; solitary; without company; companionless.

Alone is…

• To be separate, apart, or isolated to the exclusion of all others or all else.

• To be unique, unequaled, superlative.

With Christ, you will never walk alone.

The world’s greatest
tragedy is unwantedness;
the worlds
greatest disease is
loneliness.
—MOTHER TERESA

Feelings of loneliness are very real and can result from feelings of not belonging or not being understood. It creates an emptiness inside that drains all energy and spirit. During these painful times, our faith is vital. God did not intend for people to be lonely; even if people turn on us, forsake us, or shut us out, we are never alone. God promised it Himself in Hebrews 13:5 when He said “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. God is always there, and no matter how abandoned, deserted, or empty we feel, or how difficult and painful the situation-we are not alone. When feelings of emptiness and isolation begin to creep in, it’s not the time to look inward, but instead reach out to God. Our faith turns loneliness into alone time with Him.

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” (Psalm 62:1)

I have always found that I become renewed and regenerated when I spend time alone; filled up with the love from the Spirit. During my quiet times, I feel anything but alone or lonely; the stillness is actually a restorer of energy. When God gets us absolutely alone, away and unconcerned with our own ideas, friendships, and cares, that’s when He begins to refine and shape us. There is no substitute for time spent alone with God where you can tell Him anything and everything. His presence is all we need in order to maintain the proper balance our lives require. We never have to feel lonely, instead we should take advantage of our time alone and embrace it with a Godly purpose.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

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