Prescription: Don’t be Lonely
While not everyone can or will be married, God says it is not good for us to be alone. Given the fact that he designed us and created us, it would seem wise to read the owner’s manual about the present life and eternal life. It is also one of the reasons God tells us to “love one another” and even love our enemies. It is one of the reasons he wisely gave us the church and a church family.
Did God say it is not good for us to be alone? Consider this at the very beginning of the Old Testament: “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” Genesis 2:18 Bear in mind that God has never been alone. He has always existed as three persons in one: Father, Son, and Spirit. While I cannot fully understand this or explain it, it is true, nonetheless.
Public Health Problem: Loneliness
Loneliness is still a very present reality and even a health hazard. Consider this: “The feeling of loneliness describes a discrepancy between actual and desired social relationships and is considered a major public health problem. Loneliness is associated with multiple somatic and psychiatric illnesses, as well as premature death.” Source: National Library of Medicine
Men and Marriage
I think part of the reason I have lived 73 years is my wife (plus of course, God’s purpose and will). Cindie keeps me from doing dumb things (or tries to), tries to make me eat healthy foods, and is the best doctor I know. Of course, she doesn’t have an MD after her name, but she is no slouch when it comes to practical knowledge and wisdom. I guess I have the advantage of getting married a bit older too. At least that is what Harvard thinks.
“A major survey of 127,545 American adults found that married men are healthier than men who were never married or whose marriages ended in divorce or widowhood. Men who have marital partners also live longer than men without spouses; men who marry after age 25 get more protection than those who tie the knot at a younger age, and the longer a man stays married, the greater his survival advantage over his unmarried peers. But is marriage itself responsible for better health and longer life? Although it’s hard to be sure, marriage seems to deserve at least part of the credit.” Source: Harvard Health Publishing
Misguided Loneliness
God never really leaves us alone. It may feel that way, but that is not the reality. Consider what he said to Elijah when Elijah felt like he was completely alone: “God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? ‘Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.’ But what is God’s reply to him? ‘I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’” (Romans 11:2-4) In other words, your current situation may seem bleak, but you are not alone.
Widows Are Not Alone
“But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day…” – 1 Timothy 5:4-5
How to Identify a Follower of Jesus
A genuine follower of Jesus is never alone. This is true today, and it even more of a perfect reality in eternity. They understand these two promises found in the scriptures and have hope:
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” – Hebrews 13:5
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:1-5
Five Minute Friday
This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.
All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.
Know Your Flocks & Herds 