Jill Jarrell Newsome
Loneliness
There are a lot of lonely people right now and isolation has hurt a lot of people. Some of these people I would not have suspected. Some you see on social media, all the time. You know the people who have thousands of friends, spend so much time on social media and have alerts so they do not miss anything. They are often the first to like or comment. A thousand friends.....why are they lonely?
.0 People like to know other people's business. No one really knows you and you don't know them. I don't post pictures that I think are ugly, my messy house, a video of us arguing, etc. My post probably just show I love my family and I love the water! That is not everyday!! I have plenty of struggles. No one has a perfect life! I heard on the news, today, that a lot of anxiety comes from time on social media!! And they are talking about adults!
Some years ago I heard a Christian speaker say that social isolation leads to auto immune. It is equal to smoking. We are meant for community. Hebrews 10: 24-25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
1 Peter 4: 7-8, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Love each other deeply! That is a big command and you cannot do that on social media!! If you are a part of a church, the body of Christ, you have the opportunity for fellowship. You also have communion with Jesus. Maybe you have coworkers, relatives, neighbors, etc that God has placed in your life. We are to love them even if they are different from us. These are the kind of relationships we should be making - in person!
When you are lonely God can show you what it feels to be loved. This may be a season for you to draw closer to God!
"Loneliness is not lack of company it is the lack of purpose."