Feeling lonely is something that is sometimes difficult to cope with, so much that some people sometimes decide to put an end to their lives. Being alone and being lonely are two different things: you can be alone without being lonely, and you can be lonely in a crowded room. But, the worse about feeling lonely is when we have people around us… and no one seems to see we are suffering of our loneliness. My brother, my sister, when you feel lonely, never forget that the Lord Jesus is there, he has not abandoned you for He is the friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Now, let’s look at prophet Jeremiah, called by God to live a lonely life, and his loneliness came as a result of his commitment and obedience to God. In fact, the very reason some of us might feel isolated and distanced from members of their families or friends today could be the same. As we read Jeremiah 1 and 2, God called Jeremiah to be His spokesman for to a nation of idolatrous, wicked people. Jeremiah’s messages were warnings of impending disaster… So, he was not a popular preacher who told people nice things about themselves and he was hated for that. Besides, Jeremiah would never know the comfort and joys of marriage and family as God told him “You must not marry and have sons or daughters in this place” (Jeremiah 16:2). All that made Jeremiah very lonely, isolated, sometimes angry and frustrated: “I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long” (Jeremiah 20:7-8). Yes, he sometimes even felt that God had deceived him: “You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived” (Jeremiah 20:7). Yet, he carried on doing what He was called to do, because he trusted in God. My friends, knowing God loves you and has control of your life should give you assurance that He will meet your needs and restore you. He may not give you all you desire, but He will give you what you need. If you have been living with a feeling of loneliness and you have put your life on hold until things change, stop it today! Like Jeremiah, speak to the Lord, complain to Him, cry to Him and keep in mind that knowing Him is more important than any other relationship. Yes, for us Christians, whatever the cause of loneliness, the only cure is the comforting fellowship offered to us by Jesus Christ. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.
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