Combating Loneliness
During this Covid-19 pandemic I think we are all feeling some sort of isolation, loneliness, and frustration.If you are feeling alone and are yearning to feel connected to others, here is a list of 4 things you can do today to combat feelings of loneliness.
1. Be the Friend You Need
There has been so many times in my life, I will look at my phone only to find no new messages, phone calls, or notifications. I instantly start feeling disappointed, even though I know that the phone works both ways. When I do reach out to family members or friends, I feel better and they are always so glad to hear from me. You may be just the person that a friend needs during this time. So don't wait for everyone else to reach out, send those text messages, Face-Time a loved one, or write a letter. Stop focusing inward on yourself, focus on others and those feelings of loneliness will disappear.
"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." Proverbs 27:9
2. Utilize Your Time
Try and utilize the extra time you have. Sitting around just makes you feel lonely, so resist that urge to just do nothing. Loneliness has a way of paralyzing you, if you let it. You do not have to do a bunch of extravagant things, even just writing in a journal, reading a new book, or going for a walk will do.
3. Recognize God's Presence
King David is a great example of someone who felt so much disappointment, isolation, and loneliness. He became disheartened and discouraged. Don't let the feelings of loneliness become your mindset. Know that your God is present with you today and always. Cry out to Him in prayer and let Him surround you with His peace. Once David cried out to God, he felt His goodness. Even Jesus himself felt the feelings of loneliness on the cross. He was despised, rejected, and left on a cross to die. Jesus is familiar with pain, suffering, and loneliness. Jesus can empathize with these feelings because he has experienced them.
"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in You." Psalm 25:16-21
4. Read the Word
As you read the bible you will find so many scriptures that will fill your soul with peace, and comfort. What better way to combat loneliness then to sit and listen to your Father in Heaven?
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
It is okay if you are feeling lonely during this time, it is completely normal. It is our natural instinct to pull back and wait for others to reach out, but I encourage you to do the opposite. Reach out to others, they want to hear from you, try something new, dive deep into God's word and listen for His voice, and know Jesus is with you always, you are never alone.
1. Be the Friend You Need
There has been so many times in my life, I will look at my phone only to find no new messages, phone calls, or notifications. I instantly start feeling disappointed, even though I know that the phone works both ways. When I do reach out to family members or friends, I feel better and they are always so glad to hear from me. You may be just the person that a friend needs during this time. So don't wait for everyone else to reach out, send those text messages, Face-Time a loved one, or write a letter. Stop focusing inward on yourself, focus on others and those feelings of loneliness will disappear.
"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." Proverbs 27:9
2. Utilize Your Time
Try and utilize the extra time you have. Sitting around just makes you feel lonely, so resist that urge to just do nothing. Loneliness has a way of paralyzing you, if you let it. You do not have to do a bunch of extravagant things, even just writing in a journal, reading a new book, or going for a walk will do.
3. Recognize God's Presence
King David is a great example of someone who felt so much disappointment, isolation, and loneliness. He became disheartened and discouraged. Don't let the feelings of loneliness become your mindset. Know that your God is present with you today and always. Cry out to Him in prayer and let Him surround you with His peace. Once David cried out to God, he felt His goodness. Even Jesus himself felt the feelings of loneliness on the cross. He was despised, rejected, and left on a cross to die. Jesus is familiar with pain, suffering, and loneliness. Jesus can empathize with these feelings because he has experienced them.
"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in You." Psalm 25:16-21
4. Read the Word
As you read the bible you will find so many scriptures that will fill your soul with peace, and comfort. What better way to combat loneliness then to sit and listen to your Father in Heaven?
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
It is okay if you are feeling lonely during this time, it is completely normal. It is our natural instinct to pull back and wait for others to reach out, but I encourage you to do the opposite. Reach out to others, they want to hear from you, try something new, dive deep into God's word and listen for His voice, and know Jesus is with you always, you are never alone.
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