I don't know a single person who hasn't struggled with loneliness. This feeling often invades my carefree single existence without warning. One moment I'm on top of the world, loving the single life and enjoying being the sole planner of my schedule; then the next moment I get caught up in the fairy tale of a chick-flick or see a couple holding hands and that carefree state plummets. During these moments I quote one of my favorite verses: "Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever" (
J.P.
I've dealt with loneliness all my life. I'm 44 and still single. I cope by hanging out with my single friends. We're like a family; we make ourselves available to each other when we need someone to lean on, when we're struggling with loneliness, or when someone is hurting from a broken relationship. You can't sit at home by yourself, you have to surround yourself with God's people.
Secondly, I talk to God about my loneliness, because I believe he really cares. I have to trust he knows what's best for me and that he will supply my needs according to his will, not mine. He knows all about the frustrations that accompany singleness, and I believe there's a purpose for them. These frustrations have taught me to wait on God's timing and have helped build some godly characteristics in me.
I've also realized that being alone isn't all bad. It allows me time to study God's Word and to get to know him more so I can be better equipped to help my single friends with their struggles. I enjoy the freedom of being able do things without having to consider a wife and/or kids. Although there are times I struggle with being alone, for the most part, I've learned to be content with my life. And I know God is still in control and has his hand on my life, and that he will bring me a mate when and if the time is right. In the meantime, I will strive to be like David, who came to the point where he could say, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
Bryan
Three months ago I packed up and moved 500 miles from my childhood home to a place where I know almost no one. Talk about lonely! It's one thing to be lonely for romance of some sort, but another thing altogether to be lonely for friendly companionship of any kind. However, what I've learned in this tough time has been tremendously more than worth the pain of loneliness. For the first time in my life, I've been put in a position where I have no one else but God. … and it's been good for me. Those things I'd normally share with a friend or love interest, I'm learning to share with him. The needs I've always depended on others to meet, I'm learning to take to my Father, my Friend, the Lover of my Soul.
Jamie
At my peaks of loneliness, I have a tendency to whip out particular "woe-is-me" hits, stuff my face full of whatever lurks in the cupboards, and throw a pity party for me, myself, and I. A while back however, I began noticing how much my pity parties were affecting my attitude towards life, in turn deeply hurting those around me. I know it's all right to feel "not so good" every once in a while, but it's never okay to lash out towards others and pity myself the way I was doing.
