We don’t have to be afraid of loneliness – noticing that we are lonely helps us realize that something is not quite right – maybe our relationships are not as strong as we want them to be, or maybe we could use more support. Prayer is the best place to start to conquer anything! We should go to God in prayer and tell Him all about our feelings, asking Him what our next steps should be, and then watching where He leads us.
Next, let’s focus on the Scriptures to find inspiration from the people of the Bible. Find a quiet place away from distractions and an easy-to-read Bible translation or book about the people of the Bible. Have you ever read about the prophet Elijah? He was sad and thought he was alone. But because he stayed connected to God, he learned there were 7,000 faithful people just like him, ready to serve the Lord with him! Choose a person of faith to learn about, cheer on, and become inspired by.
We can also reach out and make friends with someone at church or school, on a team or from a club – and we don’t mean connecting with someone on social media. Social media can add to our loneliness because people often exaggerate about how well they are doing, making us feel like we aren’t good enough.
But what if we are shy and don’t feel comfortable making the first move to start a friendship? That’s okay – we can begin by helping someone else. We learn about the importance of giving in Acts: (20:35, NASB) “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
So, let’s find someone we can help, even if it’s in a small way. Can you clean out your closet or toy box and find things to donate to someone in need? Is there someone in your class struggling to learn something that you understand well? Focusing on others takes away the focus on ourselves. Soon, we are feeling less lonely and more in a giving spirit.
If your loneliness doesn't seem to be going away, let a parent, teacher or trusted adult know how you are feeling.
Those of us who aren’t lonely can look for others who may need our help. Pray WITH them and FOR them, and include them in activities. Choose a hero of faith from the Bible and study together to find inspiration!
So, how can we fight loneliness? Through prayer, Bible study, initiating friendships, and serving others. If we see a lonely person, we can reach out to them and do our best to help them overcome their feelings of loneliness.
This video is from Christian Questions Podcast. For more information please go to https://christianquestions.com
