Loneliness is not an Incurable Disease 

"Lonely, attractive, divorced white female seeks caring, financially secure man 40s to early 50s for possible long term relationship. Come heal my broken heart." The above scenario is repeated over and over again in "Finding the Love of Your Life", romantic interest newspaper columns. The same basic message is also heard behind the upbeat, macho comments in the men seeking women section. Loneliness is a problem of epidemic proportions in our society despite the burgeoning growth of entertainment and recreational options.

Loneliness is not always easy to explain or overcome. It is rooted in a deep-seated need to be known and loved unconditionally. Just being with people does not guarantee that you won't be lonely. Listening, physical touch, expressing thoughts and feelings, affirming and being affirmed all contribute to companionship.

Alcohol can create the illusion of intimacy as inhibitions are lowered. The removal of emotional barriers leads to temporary feelings of closeness and commitment. The moments of pleasure that accompany a sexual experience are sometimes mistaken for true intimacy when in reality they are nothing more that a physiological response to powerful stimuli. When boredom or predictability sets in the illusion vanishes. Loneliness still reigns.

Even within families, people remain strangers. Fulfilling the roles of husband, wife, parent and child do not in themselves create the closeness that some long for. Afraid to reveal too much of themselves for fear of rejection they hide behind masks of self-sufficiency, indifference, or incessant busyness. The person behind the mask is never known.

Curiously, the ultimate cure for loneliness is not found in people. Our society's preoccupation with human relationships is a dead end street because the need for companionship is not rooted in man to man, but God to man. The picture of man's creation recorded in the first book of the Bible reveals man as being made in God's image. He shares with God the capacity for communication and relationship. Loneliness at its core is the result of a loss of relationship with God Himself. According to the scriptures this condition of alienation is universal to all mankind (Ephesians 2 : 12, 13) . Curing loneliness begins with a recognition of this fact and a conviction that no other human being can satisfy the need of knowing and being known by your Creator. The central message of Christianity is that reconciliation with God, the restoring of a lost relationship with Him comes through a personal trust in the person of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. For more information on how to trust Him see "Free to All" and "Saving Faith"