The Christian Post reports that more than a billion people — or close to a quarter of the world’s population — struggle with loneliness, according to a new survey from Gallup and Meta. The survey was conducted in 142 countries, excluding China.
The Meta-Gallup survey findings may be viewed HERE.
In May of 2023, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a Surgeon General Advisory regarding the healing effects of social connection and community. The advisory was titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” and may be read or downloaded in its entirety HERE.
The Surgeon General Advisory states that loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling – it harms individual and societal health – and is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death. The advisory claims that the mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity.
The Christian Post article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, for the Christian, whether we feel a sense of aloneness because of the death of a family member, friend or beloved pet, or we’ve physically moved away from our friends and loved ones, or we’ve had a falling out with someone we love, or maybe we’re just not the “social butterfly” type, loneliness is a very real and raw emotion. It’s not a sign of weakness and certainly does not mean that God has abandoned us!
The bible says that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5) and that He heals the brokenhearted (see Psalm 147:3). In fact, the very Holy Spirit of God living inside the believer is our “Helper” or “Comforter” (see John 14:15-17). Men and women will sometimes fail us, but God is always faithful (see 1 Corinthians 1:9 and 10:13).
In those times when our hearts are hurting and we feel alone, RUN to Jesus in worship, singing, prayer and seek His word! After all, the Lord rejoices over us and sings over us (see Zephaniah 3:17). And never forget that the Father loves you just like He loves Jesus (see John 17:20-23)! Amen.
Here are the referenced scriptures:
Psalm 147:3 (NLT)
“He [the Lord] heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
“For He Himself [Jesus] has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”
John 14:15-17 (NKJV)
Jesus Promises Another Helper
“If you love Me [Jesus], keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper [Comforter], that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
1 Corinthians 1:9 (Amplified Bible)
“God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and [H]e will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation [H]e will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)
“The Lord your God in your midst, [t]he Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
John 17:20-23 (NKJV)
Jesus Prays to the Father
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me [emphasis mine].”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
