The call of loneliness

"Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty" - Mother Teresa

Elderly parents who are neglected in their twilight years are not the only victims of this kind of poverty.  Men and women who in their forties or older, who are not married either by choice or due to circumstances, are also stricken by this affliction.

When this people are at work or with their friends, they will be so busy and have no time to think about being lonely.  But when the night falls and everyone returns to their respectively homes, that's when the empty feeling strikes.

Being alone and feeling lonely are two different things.

Loner can understand others' need to be more social but they do not have the insecurities that make them fearful of doing things alone -

Loner derives joy from their solitary pursuits in life - drawing inspiration and energy from quiet, private moments - they are able to entertain themselves and to be self sufficient.

You can have everything in the world and still be the loneliest man, and that is the most bitter type of loneliness.

Despite the advancement of technology, all of us battle with seasons of loneliness, wondering if anyone knows, understands or cares about the burdens we carry or the struggles we face.  But followers of Jesus have an assurance that brings comfort to our weary hearts.

Jesus said in John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business.  Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you".

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." - Eleanor Roosevelt

The Lonely Life

This thing called life is an awfully long journey.  For some, it seems an endless trip, filled with thankless responsibilities and relentless tasks, disappointments and deadlines, and daily demands.

I think the most painful word in the English language is "alone".  How ' ironic ' - statistically speaking, it should be impossible to be lonely on planet earth.  After all, there are more than 7 billion of us roaming around on this earth.

All of us, at one time or another, have tasted the bitterness of being lonely, being all alone in the world without a companion with whom to share a thought or a part of our life.

We often see lonely people in every city; thousands of them trudging the streets all by themselves and tasting the dregs of loneliness. That is their regular way of life.  It doesn't seem right, but it is a fact.

Well, there is only one solution, of course. Make friends. Friends are the only solution to loneliness. Many people are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
Jesus is our Friend. Just like to song "What a Friend we have in Jesus"....

LONELINESS  COMES  WHEN  WE  FORGET  ABOUT  THE  ONE  WHO  IS  ALWAYS  WITH  US.

Alone or Loneliness?

Mother Teresa said : "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty".

My daughter, after being away from home for 3 weeks came back to Penang to her familiar surrounding - cozy room, comfy bed, friendly people and delicious food; for 3 days. She was feeling alone in an unfamiliar place where there is no old friends, to shares and laughs.

Loneliness has been termed the most desolate word in the English language. It is no respecter of age, race, economic status, or intelligence. Albert Einstein said, "It is strange to be known so universally, and yet to be so lonely."
What circumstances make you feel helpless or hopeless today? Poor health, broken relationship, a family member in great need? In Jesus Christ, God has pierced the dark winter of our world in a daring rescue through His redeeming love. He is therefore able to reach us and calm our fears in the most desperate circumstances. If you feel unloved, don't run from your pain or try to get love through wrong means. Instead, devote yourself to knowing God and loving Him. Allow Him to meet your deepest needs. Then give Him all the praise !
God made us for intimacy and companionship with others. Even before sin entered the world, He declared that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2 : 18). That's why many people often feel so empty inside.
In such moments, I am thankful to have a heavenly Father who knows what it is to be separated from a beloved Son. I am thankful to have a God who is described as "a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows" (Psalm 68:5).
Those who know Jesus are never alone. THOUGH PEOPLE MAY NOT LOVE YOU. GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.

LONELINESS COMES WHEN WE FORGET ABOUT THE ONE WHO IS ALWAYS WITH US.

Loneliness

Loneliness has been termed the most desolate word in the English language. It is no respecter of age, race, economic status, or intelligence. Albert Einstein said, "It is strange to be known so universally, and yet to be so lonely."
Loneliness, like the flu, is contagious, US research shows. It can spread among groups of people and women are more likely than men to become "infected", according to researchers at the University of Chicago, the University of California-San Diego and Harvard.
Lonely people tend to transmit their sad feelings to those around them, which eventually led to them being isolated from society. They became less trustful of others, and a cycle develops that makes it harder for them to form friendships.
Loneliness is associated with mental and physical diseases that can shorten life, said psychologist, John Cacioppo, a leading US expert on loneliness.
What circumstances make you feel helpless or hopeless today? Poor health, broken relationship, a family member in great need? In Jesus Christ, God has pierced the dark winter of our world in a daring rescue through His redeeming love. He is therefore able to reach us and calm our fears in the most desperate circumstances.
If you feel unloved, don't run from your pain or try to get love through wrong means. Instead, devote yourself to knowing God and loving Him. Allow Him to meet your deepest needs. Then give Him all the praise !
God made us for intimacy and companionship with others. Even before sin entered the world, He declared that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2 : 18). That's why many people often feel so empty inside.
Those who know Jesus are never alone.
THOUGH PEOPLE MAY NOT LOVE YOU. GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.
GOD'S HELP IS ONLY A PRAYER AWAY.