Articles
Coping with Life 14 – Loneliness
Coping with Life 14 – Loneliness
By Mike Willis
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (4:9-12).
According to the 2023 report, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community,” “Adults across the globe rate their social relationships, particularly with family and close friends, as the most important source of meaning, purpose, and motivation in their lives” (33). Man is a social being, needing relationships with other people.
One of the sources for coping with the issues of life is the relationships one has with others. The Lord ordained the church, a local assembly of Christians who are commanded to meet each Sunday for worship. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. AND LET US CONSIDER HOW TO STIR UP ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, NOT NEGLECTING TO MEET TOGETHER, AS IS THE HABIT OF SOME, BUT ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER, AND ALL THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY DRAWING NEAR” (10:19-25).
There is a whole series of “one another” passages in the New Testament: love one another (John 13:34; 15:12, 17), admonish one another (Rom. 15:14), greet one another (1 Cor. 16:20), serve one another (Gal. 5:13), bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), be forebearing to one another (Eph. 4:2), forgive one another (Eph. 4:32), admonish one another (Col. 3:16), comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18), and the list goes on. Christians are not intended to be the Lone Ranger.
Solomon saw what friendships bring to one’s life: a good reward for their toil (who wants to celebrate alone?), a help to each other when one falls, an assistant to one another in jobs too big for one person, and a co-defendant from assault. If you are feeling alone and without friends, listen to the wisdom of Solomon and get involved with other Christian people who can help you cope with life’s problems, join you in praising God, and be with you when you pass through the seasons of life. Make life easier on yourself by being involved in the Lord’s church.
