Getting A Handle On Loneliness

HOW CAN I HANDLE LONLINESS?

INTRO:

It has been said that an individual can live forty days without food, four days without water, four minutes without oxygen, and about four seconds without hope.

In the very first book of the Bible the word of God says it is not good for man to be alone – I will make him a help meet.

Loneliness is one of the most heart wrenching feelings you can experience. You do not have to be alone to feel alone.

You can feel lonely in a crowd. It is not the number of people around you that determines your loneliness –it is your relationship to them.

In our high speed, cock eyed hurried world, we have become the cell phone junkies. Driving down the highway, you will see more people than not on a cell phone. More Americans correspond by way of high speed internet and texting like never before. Never before has the social network like twitter and face book brought more people together. YET PEOPLE ARE LONELIER THAN EVER!

People have never lived closer together and yet have never felt further apart.

Loneliness is no respecter of persons

You can be wealthy and lonely. Ask Howard Hughes

You can be beautiful and lonely Ask Marilyn Monroe

You can be Married and Lonely. Many people get married because they are lonely and get divorced for the same reason.

There are scores of people in the bible that experienced loneliness.

David said, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and

afflicted.” Psalms 25:16

Jesus cried out on the cross the most lonely comment of all “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

In the garden, Jesus while his heart was heavy, He asked is disciples, “Could you not stay awake with me one hour while I pray”

Everyone experiences loneliness at one time or another. There are distinct causes and cures for those lonely times of life

1. Sometimes we bring loneliness on ourselves.

Sophie and Shirley, two elderly widows in a Florida adult community, are curious about the latest arrival in their building -- a quiet, nice looking gentleman who keeps to himself. Shirley says, "Sophie, you know I’m shy. Why don’t you go over to him at the pool and find out a little about him. He looks so lonely." Sophie agrees, and later that day at the pool, she walks up to him and says, "Excuse me, mister. I hope I’m not prying, but my friend and I were wondering why you looked so lonely." "Of course I’m lonely, he says, "I’ve spent the past 20 years in prison." "You’re kidding What for?" "For killing my third wife. I strangled her." "What happened to your second wife?" "I shot her." "And, if I may ask, your first wife?" "We had a fight and she fell off a bridge." "Oh my," says Sophie. Then turning to her friend on the other side of the pool, she yells, "you’re never going to believe this, Shirley. He’s single."

2. Life can bring about inevitable and uncontrollable situations

The Apostle Paul found himself in a lonely situation as he writes the second book of timothy. He is an old man facing death as he writes from prison in Rome to his son in the faith Timothy.

2 Timothy 4: 6-17 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.