Endorsements
I dont know if you struggle with loneliness, but I used to. And honestly, I wish Id had this book back then. I think it would have been a great help and given me some tangible things I could do to combat the feeling of solitude, of not fitting in. Because Im married to the guy, I know Jacks heart and his desire to see people connectednot just to one another but to Jesus. I highly recommend this book for all ages in all walks of life. You wont be sorry you read it. In fact, you might find yourself seeing others in a new light and reaching out to offer friendship and hope to someone who has none. Take the time to read the book, then go be the one who brings a smile to a lonely persons face and a renewing of joy to their heart.
Lynette Eason , bestselling and award-winning author of over fifty books, including the Danger Never Sleeps series
Years ago, a well-known megachurch pastor told me, Loneliness is the hardest part of my ministry. He speaks for thousands of ministry leaders and other Christians who struggle with this same dilemma: so many people, so few meaningful relationships. This book lays out the problem, along with practical solutions for solving the loneliness dilemma. If you feel isolated and disconnected, this book will be a lifeline of hope for you.
Jeff Iorg , president of Gateway Seminary
This wonderful book shows the heart of this friend of mine in so many ways. It flows freely from the depth of his real-life experience and deals with the issues we all grapple with as we live out the reality of this life God has given us. Jack speaks truth and provides one practical application after another in an effort to encourage and guide every reader. I wholeheartedly recommend you read this and then pass it along. Too many of us need to know we are, in fact, better together!
Don Wilton , pastor of First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, South Carolina (Dr. Billy Grahams former pastor)
I strongly recommend this timely and needed book. Jack Eason exposes why the most interconnected and overconnected generations in history self-identify as the loneliest. He doesnt leave it as simply a description of a state of being but rather reveals Gods solution. With engaging and relatable stories, Eason expresses Gods desire that man or woman not be alone, and he provides practical, biblical steps to remedy the issue. Each chapter concludes with a list of recommended action steps. This is more than a theoretical treatise; its a call to action in the community and, as revealed in the final chapters, even within the church.
David Tarkington , pastor of First Baptist Church of Orange Park, Florida, and founder of First Family Network
We have never had more friends yet been lonelier than we are in our current culture. Social media isnt the answer to this pervasive loneliness and desire for inspiration and genuine relationships. Jack Eason provides a captivating narrative directing readers to the hope and answer for loneliness found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rick Brewer , president and professor of management, Louisiana College
Im lonely are two of the most vulnerable, and yes, lonesome, words we can speak. To speak them can deepen our loneliness by putting us in touch with our private fear that we are weak, needy, and unworthy. Enter Pastor Jack Eason. Written for leaders, lay people, and those simply wrestling with their own personal sense of isolation, The Loneliness Solution is a deeply compassionate book that shines a warm light into the dark, solitary confinement of loneliness. Jack Eason has given us a book that offers companionship to the reader while equipping them to recognize and address the problem of loneliness in ourselves and in those around us.
Jason Gray , recording artist/songwriter
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
2020 by William Jack Eason III
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-2681-2
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations labeled Message are from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Some names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
Dedication
How could I not dedicate my first published book to my inspiration for writing?
My wife and published author, Lynette, has encouraged me for many years to put my thoughts into book form.
Thank you, sweetie. I dedicate this book to you.
Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Part One: The Problem of Loneliness
1. Living Life Alone
2. Its Hard to Find Someone to Talk To
3. The Fight against Loneliness
4. Breaking the Pull of Isolation and Insulation
5. Fitting in at Starbucks
6. An Imperfect Group of People
Part Two: The Loneliness Solution
7. The Power of WE
8. We Are Family
9. Overcoming Roadblocks to Friendship
10. Learning to Trust
11. The Power of Praying Together
12. The Joy of Meeting Needs
13. Rally around a Cause
15. What Will It Take?
16. You Gotta Have Faith: A Letter to Christ Followers
17. Encouraging Leaders Who Are Lonely: A Letter to Leaders
18. Final Words
Notes
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
Acknowledgments
T here are many people who inspired me to put these thoughts into print.
I want to thank Lynette Eason for her nonstop encouragement to write, as well as the support of Will and Lauryn and my entire family.
Thanks especially to Tamela Hancock Murray and the Steve Laube Agency for believing in me and the ideas for this book.