The Loneliness of Being So Connected -

"Automat" Edward Hopper ~1927

"Ah, look at all the lonely people." ~ the Beatles

💔  Loneliness.  It's been around since Eve ate the fruit.  David wrote about it when he asked of God, "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted" (Ps 25:16).  He knew the God who "healed the brokenhearted and tied up their wounds" (Psalms 147:3) and confidently called on Him.  

As I mentioned in a previous blog, according to the United States Surgeon General in a report recently put out, we have a health crisis on our hands...

💔 We are soooooo connected (or so we think) - on average about 2.5 hours per day.  But in reality, behind that screen vulnerability can be hidden, according to some researchers.  We don't need to put ourselves out there in the same way we would in person.  We have much more control on a computer.

In a survey from the scienceofpeople.com, one reason for increased loneliness are working long hours- an area that, especially as Americans, we kind of tend to lose our boundaries on.  Another reason is parents are not able to find enough adult friend time - this one is kind of hard and requires some planning.  Sometimes toddler schedules are restrictive and kids' sports overtake your life.  

But it doesn't mean we don't try to reign it in.  Self-control and discipline is a fruit of the Holy Spirit- intentionally submitting our work and family activity schedule to God for His direction in prayer can highlight tendencies in our lives that don't build our relationship to God and others. 

 

💔 Even the Surgeon General knows that relationships are healing for us.  Without them we can increase our chances of heart disease, stroke and dementia.  According to the Campaign to End Loneliness website, feelings of loneliness can have the same effect on our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and is worse for you than obesity.

💔  To clarify, loneliness is not the same as being alone.  

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💔 Trending on social media and on the fast path to people's brains - both young and old - is the concept of self-love.  I accept me for me no matter what "me" is, and you should too.  Doesn't leave a lot of vision or opportunity for betterment.  And Time found that under this guise of self love women are encouraged to "treat" themselves to cosmetic procedures, reinforcing the idea they are not good enough, and actually isolating themselves more.  

 I find this contradictory to what God says.  The love of Christ is our foundation.  We exist not for us but for the One who "loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).  

When asked what the greatest commandment was Jesus responded, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:37-39).  Neither of those say love yourself as yourself.  

💔  Just following those two commandments seems like a cure for loneliness to me.  God has promised:

                - to never forsake us or leave us (Deut 31:6)

                - to strengthen us, help us, uphold us (Isaiah 41:10)

                - we will never be separated from His Love (Rom 8:38-39)

                - to give us plans for welfare and not for evil (Jer 29:11)

                - to make our paths straight (Prov 3:5-6)

                - to refresh us (Prov 11:25)

                - to comfort us (2 Cor 1:4)

                                                                

💔 So that we can therefore:

                - carry each other's burdens (Gal 6:2)

                - serve others (Heb 6:10)

                - do good and share what we have (Heb 13:16)

                - love each other (John 15:12)

                - give to those who ask (Matt 5:42)

                - be gracious to the poor (Prov 19:17)

                - welcome strangers (Rom 12:13)

                - watch out for what is better for others (Phil 2:4)

                - refresh others (Prov 11:25)

                - encourage & build others (1 Thess 5:11)

                - stand up for others (Isaiah 1:17)

                - comfort others (2 Cor 1:4)

💔 We live in a very broken world.  And we are broken people.  But we were created and are loved by a perfect God, who loves each and every one of us so much that He showers us with His love so we can reach out to others, and as a result we aren't lonely.  It's a beautiful circle that can sometimes seem messy because it involves broken people.  Good thing we have God holding it together and not us, right?

✙ Lord, You are THE cure for loneliness.  You long to have us in Your presence - help us daily to see that.  When we feel lonely, remind us to turn to You to ask for guidance from Your Spirit, and then turn us outward to others.  Help us to be a cure for someone's loneliness, knowing You created us for relationship with You & others.  Amen.