Life was good. Oh, I struggled with fatigue, disability, and allergies, but life was good. I was able to serve in a number of capacities at church and had a great support network. While I was lonely sometimes as we all are, I had much time with other people, family, and friends.

In one day, everything changed. A flood at work in early 2019 wreaked havoc with my immune system necessitating isolation. The pandemic added to this isolation. Although at first I had hope that this would be a temporary issue, it soon became evident that it would be permanent. While I can take carefully (and I do mean carefully) planned trips out of the house periodically, the majority of the time is isolated.

Loneliness, as you can imagine, is a real part of my life even with a wonderful support system. The pain of this level of loneliness is something I never anticipated. I know others experience it to an even greater level. It is something we must acknowledge and address.

The Psalms have become a great comfort. The Psalmist talks often of loneliness. (Psalm 102:7-17) You see that he talks about the pain of loneliness and then turns his heart to God.

^“7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

⁸ Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

⁹ For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.

¹⁰ Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

¹¹ My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

¹² But thou, O Lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

¹³ Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

¹⁴ For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

¹⁵ So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

¹⁶ When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

¹⁷ He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.”

So, how do we handle our loneliness? We will be looking at what God’s Word says about loneliness over the next few days.

There are some great articles and podcasts about loneliness on Revive Our Hearts.

If you are lonely, we would love to connect with you. You may connect here or in our Facebook Group Home Connections.