🛏️ From September 2021 to April 2022, I found myself confined to bed—not because I wanted to be, but because God was leading me into an unexpected season of stillness. Life felt like it had come to a complete stop, and the quiet of my apartment only deepened the ache of loneliness. As the walls seemed to close in, God began to speak—not in grand, dramatic ways, but through the gentle whispers of His Word and moments of reflection. In that quiet, where my spirit wrestled with solitude, He planted a seed I never saw coming: the call to write my story.
I wrestled much at first, but as I lay there reflecting on my life, it became clear that I was indeed meant to write everything: the happy times, the chaos, the pain, and even those memories I wished to forget. Eventually, I stopped resisting and opened my laptop. As I poured my heart onto the pages, something miraculous occurred: God guided me to write my memoir, Confessions: A Memoir of Hope for the Suffering. A year later, I was able to publish it to others facing their own struggles and afflictions.
I share this because loneliness is a struggle I know all too well. Throughout my entire life, it has lingered like an unwanted guest. Even at the age of 45, I still wrestle with loneliness at times. I choose to open up about my struggles because I believe it’s essential to address these feelings; I know I’m not alone in experiencing them. I hope to help someone in their own afflictions by sharing my experiences.
This past year, God has blessed me by allowing me to travel to numerous towns and cities and support local churches in challenging areas of Latin America. It brings me immense joy to invest in friendships in the foreign field and immerse myself in communities to preach Jesus Christ and disciple young believers. Yet, amid this joy, loneliness occasionally creeps in. During one particular season this year, I found myself with more leisure time than usual, which led me to long for close friends to hang out, chat, and pray together. Despite my best efforts to connect with others, the grip of loneliness became increasingly palpable, overwhelming my spirit.
I spent extra time praying with God each day, seeking relief from the grip of loneliness. Many times, even when surrounded by people, I felt invisible, like a ghost unnoticed by those around me. This experience can be challenging to understand if you’ve never faced loneliness; it’s difficult to grasp how one can feel hollow and unseen, even in a crowd. To those who haven’t encountered this struggle, thank the Lord for your blessedness. In light of this, I urge you to be intentional in your kindness and refrain from judgment toward those who grapple with loneliness. Compassion can go a long way and profoundly bless those we may not fully understand.
To those who understand loneliness, you know it’s a silence that envelops you, making you feel like a spirit drifting among the living—visible, yet not indeed acknowledged. I share my story because loneliness and depression are very real struggles, particularly as we enter the holiday season.
As we enter the holiday season, where we’re expected to feel warm, cheerful, and merry, it’s important to acknowledge that many people experience a deep sense of isolation during this time.
Perhaps you are one of those lonely folks like me. You recognize this is a beautiful time of year for gathering with loved ones, enjoying delicious food, opening gifts, watching classic family movies, playing board games, and creating lasting memories. While you feel grateful for these joyous days ahead, another part of you, just beneath the surface, feels lonely, disconnected, and yearning for companionship. What are you to do with this war going on inside you?
Here are some tips that I have invaluable when loneliness threatens to overwhelm us:
Take a break from social media. It’s too easy to get lost in the highlight reels of others’ lives, which can intensify feelings of isolation. Instead, dedicate time for quiet reflection and deep connection with God. Spend extra time in prayer, reading, and meditating on the Holy Bible. Share your feelings with Him—cry out in your pang—and let His grace and presence hug you. Remember, He is always there to listen and guide you in the right way. (Psalm 34:18; Matthew 11:28-30)
Make it a daily practice to express praise and gratitude for specific blessings, even the small ones. When the lies of loneliness and depression weigh down our minds, it’s essential to counter those feelings by speaking truth aloud to God. And I must add that we should do it frequently throughout the day. This act reminds us of His goodness and reinforces the truth within our hearts. (Philippians 4:6-8)
Never underestimate the power of singing melodies to the Lord. Take time each day to open a hymnal (or search hymns online), and sing the timeless hymns filled with doctrine and truth that uplift your spirit. Creating sweet melody in our hearts is essential, as the Bible teaches that a merry heart doeth good like medicine. (Proverbs 17:22)
Finally, even if you don’t feel like it, make the effort to reach out. Purposefully seek opportunities to spend time with friends. If you lack close relationships, consider finding someone who could use your companionship—perhaps even a homeless person on the street. I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with homeless in need, taking the time to talk and enjoy their company. I’ve learned some good lessons from several homeless individuals whom I took the time to speak with. We all crave companionship; sometimes, all it takes is a genuine conversation to connect. Let down your guard and simply be yourself. You’ll be surprised at how meaningful your presence can be to someone else. (Acts 20:35)
Loneliness can feel suffocating, but it doesn’t have to define who you are. God sees you, even when you feel invisible. There are others around you who long for connection as well. Take the courage to reach out, knowing God walks beside you in Christ Jesus during those quiet moments.
As we enter this holiday season, let’s be mindful of those who may feel alone. Together, we can create a space of compassion and connection. By letting down our guard, we can build meaningful friendships that offer hope to those who need it most.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
I wrestled much at first, but as I lay there reflecting on my life, it became clear that I was indeed meant to write everything: the happy times, the chaos, the pain, and even those memories I wished to forget. Eventually, I stopped resisting and opened my laptop. As I poured my heart onto the pages, something miraculous occurred: God guided me to write my memoir, Confessions: A Memoir of Hope for the Suffering. A year later, I was able to publish it to others facing their own struggles and afflictions.
I share this because loneliness is a struggle I know all too well. Throughout my entire life, it has lingered like an unwanted guest. Even at the age of 45, I still wrestle with loneliness at times. I choose to open up about my struggles because I believe it’s essential to address these feelings; I know I’m not alone in experiencing them. I hope to help someone in their own afflictions by sharing my experiences.
This past year, God has blessed me by allowing me to travel to numerous towns and cities and support local churches in challenging areas of Latin America. It brings me immense joy to invest in friendships in the foreign field and immerse myself in communities to preach Jesus Christ and disciple young believers. Yet, amid this joy, loneliness occasionally creeps in. During one particular season this year, I found myself with more leisure time than usual, which led me to long for close friends to hang out, chat, and pray together. Despite my best efforts to connect with others, the grip of loneliness became increasingly palpable, overwhelming my spirit.
I spent extra time praying with God each day, seeking relief from the grip of loneliness. Many times, even when surrounded by people, I felt invisible, like a ghost unnoticed by those around me. This experience can be challenging to understand if you’ve never faced loneliness; it’s difficult to grasp how one can feel hollow and unseen, even in a crowd. To those who haven’t encountered this struggle, thank the Lord for your blessedness. In light of this, I urge you to be intentional in your kindness and refrain from judgment toward those who grapple with loneliness. Compassion can go a long way and profoundly bless those we may not fully understand.
To those who understand loneliness, you know it’s a silence that envelops you, making you feel like a spirit drifting among the living—visible, yet not indeed acknowledged. I share my story because loneliness and depression are very real struggles, particularly as we enter the holiday season.
As we enter the holiday season, where we’re expected to feel warm, cheerful, and merry, it’s important to acknowledge that many people experience a deep sense of isolation during this time.
Perhaps you are one of those lonely folks like me. You recognize this is a beautiful time of year for gathering with loved ones, enjoying delicious food, opening gifts, watching classic family movies, playing board games, and creating lasting memories. While you feel grateful for these joyous days ahead, another part of you, just beneath the surface, feels lonely, disconnected, and yearning for companionship. What are you to do with this war going on inside you?
Here are some tips that I have invaluable when loneliness threatens to overwhelm us:
Take a break from social media. It’s too easy to get lost in the highlight reels of others’ lives, which can intensify feelings of isolation. Instead, dedicate time for quiet reflection and deep connection with God. Spend extra time in prayer, reading, and meditating on the Holy Bible. Share your feelings with Him—cry out in your pang—and let His grace and presence hug you. Remember, He is always there to listen and guide you in the right way. (Psalm 34:18; Matthew 11:28-30)
Make it a daily practice to express praise and gratitude for specific blessings, even the small ones. When the lies of loneliness and depression weigh down our minds, it’s essential to counter those feelings by speaking truth aloud to God. And I must add that we should do it frequently throughout the day. This act reminds us of His goodness and reinforces the truth within our hearts. (Philippians 4:6-8)
Never underestimate the power of singing melodies to the Lord. Take time each day to open a hymnal (or search hymns online), and sing the timeless hymns filled with doctrine and truth that uplift your spirit. Creating sweet melody in our hearts is essential, as the Bible teaches that a merry heart doeth good like medicine. (Proverbs 17:22)
Finally, even if you don’t feel like it, make the effort to reach out. Purposefully seek opportunities to spend time with friends. If you lack close relationships, consider finding someone who could use your companionship—perhaps even a homeless person on the street. I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with homeless in need, taking the time to talk and enjoy their company. I’ve learned some good lessons from several homeless individuals whom I took the time to speak with. We all crave companionship; sometimes, all it takes is a genuine conversation to connect. Let down your guard and simply be yourself. You’ll be surprised at how meaningful your presence can be to someone else. (Acts 20:35)
Loneliness can feel suffocating, but it doesn’t have to define who you are. God sees you, even when you feel invisible. There are others around you who long for connection as well. Take the courage to reach out, knowing God walks beside you in Christ Jesus during those quiet moments.
As we enter this holiday season, let’s be mindful of those who may feel alone. Together, we can create a space of compassion and connection. By letting down our guard, we can build meaningful friendships that offer hope to those who need it most.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
