Conversation Among Friends

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted". Psalm 25:16

Are you simply lonely? Loneliness is a strange thing. As you can be alone and not feel lonely at all. But you can be surrounded by people and be desperately lonely as David was in the above verse.  I have given this much thought as loneliness has plagued me on more than one occasion.  Also,  in serving others it is often loneliness that brings them to a point to ask for help.  But what causes us to be lonely?

From a practical standpoint, it is a lack of deep communication.  Often we go through the day only having surface level discussions. These discussions can include anything that is not an intimate detail of our lives.  We might talk about the children, our work, projects around the house, etc.  But perhaps out of fear, we do not discuss the details that matter most to us. Things like. . . What are we worried about? What are we hoping and dreaming about? And especially, we do not discuss our relationship with Christ and what we are learning. Nothing opens the door to our heart like discussing our walk with Christ or praying with someone.

Perhaps past hurt keeps us from trusting again with sharing our heart. But I ask. . .is the hurt of loneliness any less hurtful.  Besides, I don't think God meant for us to be lonely in the sense that we often find ourselves.  In the New Testament, the word lonely only occurs twice and both times refers to desolate places, where Jesus moved off into the wilderness to be alone .

"Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere." Mark 1:45

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:16

Notice that these times weren't about an individuals emotions but rather the work of Jesus (and being alone with God).

There can be so many reasons that lead to our feelings of loneliness but there is only one cure. . .the comforting fellowship of Christ. We must, like David, turn to Him and pour out our heart so that He may fill it with His great love.  I encourage you to read through the 25th Psalm and cry out to the Father. Tell Him everything!

But rest assured, He (the Lord)  is the friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), who lays down His life for His friends (John 15:13-15), and who has promised never to leave us or forsake us but to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).  We can take great comfort in His promises. We can trust Him. We can tell Him anything. No special words need. . .just talk to Him as you would a best friend. Prayer changes things including loneliness.