Do You Ever Feel Alone?
/We live in interesting times: we’re both more connected and yet more isolated than ever before. We know this is not true of every individual, but as a society, we have less meaningful connections, conversations and interactions than prior generations.
A few years ago, a sociologist wrote the book “Bowling Alone” documenting a great decline of community-based social organizations. But now with the universal presence of digital devices and our headphones, we are isolating ourselves ever more every hour of the day and we are now watching, listening and playing alone.
But social isolation isn't even our worst or deepest loneliness. Our increasingly secular and irreligious age has taken farther from God and can offer only distraction or emptiness to fill our yearning for Him.
Let us cry out like David did in the Psalms: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted” (Ps 25:16). God is still there to help and to fill.
In any circumstance of loneliness, grief, angst, or sorrow turn to God. Again, like David said, “My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him” (Ps. 62:5). He offers to all comers the fullness of grace, hope and love.
As Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt 5:3,4).