Winning the Battle Against Loneliness

Loneliness. Among the many health challenges people in America face, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has identified loneliness as a public health epidemic, as stated in his 2023 advisory titled, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). The study reports that about half of adults report “measurable levels” of loneliness.

Loneliness increases our risk of premature death to the equivalent of smoking daily since it escalates heart disease, stroke, and dementia. But the cure is simple, available, and free to all. The Surgeon General points out in his report, “Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being.”

Relationships with other humans are vital to our health. And as Christians, we know that a relationship with Jesus is paramount.

And so, we must consciously prioritize the fight against loneliness. We must face the battle with precise strategy for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.

Our God, from your sacred home
you take care of orphans
and protect widows.
You find families
for those who are lonely.
You set prisoners free
and let them prosper,
but all who rebel will live
in a scorching desert.

Psalm 68:5-6 (CEV)

As we look to strengthen our relationships, we start with the most important one—with God. He is the one who knows us best and loves us most. And he is the only one who will never fail us. We can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely if we are not in a right relationship with our maker. We must choose, and teach our children to choose, to seek friendship with and rely on our heavenly Father first. All other relationships are extra blessings.

Second, we can ask God to give us and our kids good friends. God is very much concerned about who we spend our time with, who we are influencing, and who is influencing us. Pray for healthy relationships and a healthy church to be a part of. Ask him for someone who will be there for you, and someone for whom you can be there.

And finally, we need to work at making friends. Making friends implies time and energy are involved to create something. While there are a few special people in our lives who are quite easy to love, often, the potential for a rich relationship with others is not obvious at first. We have to take the initiative to develop those friendship. We have to listen more intently and try to understand them. And we have to go through the discomfort of resolving conflict instead of just moving on. All gifts require responsibility in care, including the gift of friendships.

So, love the Lord. Pursue and maintain relationship with God. Love others. Work toward developing healthy relationships. And teach our children to do these things. Then we will conquer the enemy of loneliness in our lives.

PRAY

God, thank you for loving me. Your faithful love is always here, and it holds me. I pray that my family is surrounded by a good community that can help us fight against loneliness and thrive in a world of isolation. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: (Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.)

Question(s): Do you ever feel alone? Tell me about a time when you felt lonely. Is there a cure for loneliness?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: (These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.)

Psalm 25:14-16

Proverbs 17:17