Alone But Not Lonely

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

  

  My maternal grandmother was an introverted personality type like myself. Introverted people essentially draw strength and energy from being alone, while extroverted personality types draw their strength and energy from being around other people. 

  Despite my grandmother’s personality type, she really liked being around people and enjoyed talking with them. Looking back, I know my grandmother must have dealt with loneliness at times. Yet she had strategies, though I doubt she consciously thought of them as such, to deal with loneliness as she lived alone nearly her entire adult life.  

  Each day my grandmother had a task or plan, something she wanted to accomplish. One day of the week she would go to town shopping for groceries. On another day she would do her laundry. She stayed busy. My grandma also kept in touch with her friends and family by phone. No one was a stranger around my grandmother. She talked to everyone like an old friend at any time and every place. And then there were the neighborhood cats that she would feed and look after. My grandmother was a great example of how to live alone and at the same time avoid loneliness.  

  Illness, disease, and disability can leave us feeling very much alone and isolated. I think that, like with my grandmother, we need to develop strategies to cope with being alone and set apart by our afflictions. We need to stay in contact with loved ones. Whenever possible we need to get outside of our isolation and be around other people. Pets are also a great blessing to those living alone. 

  Ultimately, we know the Christian is never alone. Christ is not only with us, His Spirit lives inside of us. We have a constant Comforter and Teacher who goes with us everywhere. Then there are God’s angels who not only protect us, but stand with us to strengthen and guide believers.  

  Loneliness can be crippling, and we must find ways to lessen its effect upon us. Knowing that God is always with us, and that no Christian is ever completely alone, can comfort us and aid us along with other strategies for avoiding Loneliness.  

  If you are blessed to be surrounded by friends and family, reach out to someone who may be suffering loneliness. A phone call, a visit, a bit of conversation can go far in helping the lonely. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, we know that because of You, we are never truly alone. Comfort us, give us wisdom, and help us to help others who are feeling lonely. Amen.