Christian Lonelinessনমুনা

Day 6: In a Christian Environment

This might be the toughest form of Christian loneliness because our expectations are so high. Have you ever felt lonely as a Christian at a Christian school, small group, service event, or church?

Believe it or not it can happen in these environments and it is often times really discouraging. If we can’t find legit Christians in these places, then where can we find them?

I think of the prophet Elijah. He had just performed some AMAZING miracles by standing up for God against 450 prophets of the false god Baal. After this the pagan queen of Israel, Jezebel, threatened him. She wanted to kill him for destroying her prophets and trying to turn the people back to worshiping God. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.

He ran about 100 miles from Jezreel to Beersheba. He left his servant in Beersheba and went on another day’s journey into the wilderness. There he was he was so tired and fed up he prayed to God that he would die. But God sent him an angel to feed and nourish him. Strengthened by the food Elijah went on another 250 mile or so journey that took him 40 days and nights to reach Mount Horeb. 

When he finally made it to Horeb the Lord asked him, “What are you doing here Elijah?” Elijah explained how he was very zealous for God. He explained how the Israelites has rejected God, torn down all of His altars, killed His prophets, and that he was the only one left and they were trying to kill him too. God told Elijah the work He still had for him to do and told him there were actually 7,000 more people in Israel who hadn’t turned astray.

Elijah was in a “Christian” environment living in the nation of Israel, and yet the believers were very hard to find. From Elijah’s point of view he was alone. But God knew those He had reserved who were still loyal like Elijah.

There are many false prophets and hypocrites in the church and at Christian schools today. Some of them do it intentionally to take advantage of believers for their personal gain. Some people that you run into in these environments just don’t know any better because of ignorance, false teaching, or unwillingness to change.

To avoid discouragement we have to remember that Jesus and the apostles warned of the false prophets that would come. None of this is a surprise to God. We also have to remember to keep our faith in Jesus alone, so that if any church leader or member disappoints, it will not shake our foundation in what we believe.