I'm struggling right now, with my faith in God, which is ironic because I am a missionary and I spend hours and hours every week in private study and studying with both Christians and non-believers, but there are times when I am so lonely I can't stand it.
So other than trite answers about praying more, and finding a purpose in my life, does anyone have any advice on how to overcome this overwhelming sense of being alone that has settled around my life?
Yes, we can focus too much on ourselves and not think of others. Yes, getting out and helping people will help in the short run. But, we can�t all just give and give and get nothing in return. If you do that you will eventually burn out. All of the suggestions that have been given are good TEMPORARY solutions, not PERMANENT solutions.
Kyle, as for assertion that one is never alone so long as they have God, take a look at Genesis 2. It was just Adam and God, the perfect situation according to you. But look at what God said about it.
Genesis 2:18 (NASB)
18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."
Not only did God say he was alone, he also said that it was not good. In God�s own words, if we do not have someone in our lives then we are alone.
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
I think what you're saying is that God is equipping you to bring hope and comfort to those who are lonely...
"8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
Sometimes it can feel as if God were allowing us to die e.g. Abraham asked to sacrifice Issac, Joseph unjustly imprisoned with no hope of seeing his family again or escaping where he'd been placed...where he'd been placed by God, and the story of Job.
But we feel as if we're dying in those moments because we are unaware of the resurrection of Christ which the Lord so masterfully brings about within us though our flesh parishes...
I suppose what I'm trying to say, is reach out and take hold of the strength found in the lives of your brothers and sisters who've gone before you that you might walk the paths they walked and in doing so be greatly blessed by receiving the reward they received - Christ within you.
Scripture is teaming with the lives of your family, those who have laid their lives down just as you also are being called to do, that your life like theirs might bring life to others by the grace of God :)
May God richly bless you and keep you in what you are doing
Yes, we can focus too much on ourselves and not think of others. Yes, getting out and helping people will help in the short run. But, we can�t all just give and give and get nothing in return. If you do that you will eventually burn out. All of the suggestions that have been given are good TEMPORARY solutions, not PERMANENT solutions.
"getting out and helping people will help in the short run",,,no, no, no its that thinking which generates TEMPORARY solutions,,,,Its not a run its a life! 24/7! Once you grasp that our resurrected Christ can always be within You and through our oneness in Him we are never alone yet connected to Him and through Him to His creation,others then you always have drive,excitement,etc,, for how you can plan to and ultimately serve others thus fortify that oneness wether they are physically in your presence or not,,so much so that it flushes out any loneliness. This eternal oneness through Christ is something Adam did not have. Go through life serving others in Christ and let them reciprocate or reject it as you continue on. Don't keep giving to those who do not want it yet will just take,take,take till your burnt out rather continue on to those who do. Don't cast your pearls before swine (thats scripture, i'm not being "harsh"). If someone doesn't receive the love of Christ you offer then leave to the point that you even kick the dust off your sandals as you go.
Kyle, as for assertion that one is never alone so long as they have God, take a look at Genesis 2. It was just Adam and God, the perfect situation according to you (((You misunderstand me))). But look at what God said about it.
Genesis 2:18 (NASB)
18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." Not only did God say he was alone, he also said that it was not good. In God�s own words, if we do not have someone in our lives then we are alone.
Exactly, God created Eve so that He would have someone to love instead of just himself. Not someone to love for the short run yet 24/7 wether she is there in person or not. Now through Christ we can love others constantly so much so that we have no time for being lonely wether they are with us in person or not. As far as me being criticized as "harsh" thus repulsive to any prospective wife...truth separates the girls from the women.
By my belief concerning this subject a real woman would find me more attractive as a possible husband because even when she is gone from my presence I don't break down in loneliness that spurs self pity because Im too busy serving her in prayer and provision for wherever she is and for her return. Why is that attractive? because if i'm so busy in prayer and provision for her while she is gone then I have no time to feel lonely and tempted to go to another to please my Self.
So,,,Loneliness will happen yet will we conquer it by Him or make excuses for it?
So here is a question for you Kyle. Have you ever lived alone in another culture, where everyone speaks a different language you can't understand? Where every interaction with another person leaves you mentally exhausted, because you try and try and try to communicate simple things like where you want to go or what you want to buy and still fail? It is easy to say that we should serve others, but it can be challenging to serve others when week in and week out for months at a time, you can't speak with those whom you are trying to serve.
I agree, that in Christ he makes us whole, he makes us complete, but the story of God's interactions with his people is that we are created for community, that is why we are told not to abandon meeting together. It is why there is a thing called the Church. Because we need each other as well as God. We need to worship God together, and one of my main points was/is that as a missionary in a foreign culture and a language I don't always understand it can be a bit lonely.
We all deal with our situations differently. It doesn't matter how much you do for others or your motive for doing it or if they do/do not appreciate it, even if you're married to the perfect spouse who is praying and providing, there will be times of loneliness.
Lonely (according to Merriam Webster dictionary): being without company; cut off from others; not frequented by human beings; sad from being alone; producing a feeling of bleakness or desolation
Maybe the assumption by Kyle is the last definitiion which may lead to depression. Feeling alone is a natural phenomenon...if not dealt with properly, it can lead to depression and sense of hopelessness.
Feeling lonely is what motivates us to look for a someone whether it's for a mate, a friend, a coworker, or a social exchange.
As for some of the harsh comments, they are not appealing and not very Christ-like. I would estimate that everyone on this site suffers from loneliness...we desire the company of others, preferably like-minded people.
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers"
To begin with�I am very interested in why you Chose that name (Rahab)?
Do you feel that you are an Outcast? That may be one reason that you are Lonely�perhaps you are Projecting an Image of �Stay Away�.
Another thing is that the closer one gets to God�the more Intense is the Attack on you by the evil one. You most likely are being Attacked.
Jesus went into the Desert for 40 days (for a long while) to Pray�Alone.
The only suggestion I can think to add is�a Pet. Having a Pet to take care of and to Love and to �talk things over with� (they are Great Listeners) is a comfort to most people. Please Consider it.
I chose Rahab because she was an incredible woman of faith, who turned her back on everything and everyone she knew, because she wanted to know this amazing God that she had heard stories about, and she wanted to be on HIS side. She's the only woman who is commended for her faith in Hebrews, and she was one of only five women who are in Matthew's genealogy. I think she is an amazing wonderful woman and I long to have the faith and courage that she had in God, it has nothing to do with feeling like an outcast.
