Counsel for Those Experiencing Loneliness Not by Choice

Crossing Paths with the Isolated

When you read the Gospels, you see how often Jesus reached out to those who were alone, how he called them to himself, and how he would cross their paths.

If she wasn't there alone, she wouldn't have had the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with Jesus . . .

Consider the woman at the well in John 4. She went to the well to draw water by herself, and he went out of his way to meet her there—to meet her in her loneliness. If she wasn't there alone, she wouldn't have had the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with Jesus, to hear the Gospel, and to have her life radically changed.

We see Jesus reaching out to heal people of various illnesses, and even demon possession. Many people are isolated by some sort of disfigurement, illness, or social stigma. Think of single women, divorced women, or single mothers. Divorced women in particular can feel so isolated, even within the church community. They feel like second-class Christians.

Finding God in My Loneliness

Lydia Brownback

Lydia Brownback offers biblical encouragement for women to help them see how God can redeem seasons of loneliness and draw them to the only true and lasting remedy: union with Jesus.

The Purpose of Difficult Circumstances

Loneliness can come from circumstances beyond our control. Sometimes, as we see in the Gospels, Jesus heals and changes people's circumstances. But even in those cases, he changed people's circumstances in order to point to something much more important. He allows difficulties that are so heartbreaking because, apart from them, people simply won't seek him. Loneliness is his instrument to drive them to find the greatest fulfillment they will ever know, to find the healing they really need, which is the healing from sin and salvation in Jesus.

Whatever it is that causes isolation, see it as something that God has brought into your life as a way to lead you to the greatest gift you will ever have, which is Jesus himself.

Lydia Brownback (MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the author of several books in addition to the Flourish Bible Study series, including the On-the-Go Devotionals for women; Finding God in My Loneliness; and Sing a New Song. She is a regular speaker at conferences and events and is passionate about teaching God's word.