June Hunt - Loneliness: How to Be Alone But Not Lonely

The printed version of this eBook is the Loneliness: How to Be Alone but Not Lonely book, ISBN-13: 9781596366909

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Loneliness: How to Be Alone but Not Lonely
Copyright 2013 Hope For The Heart
All rights reserved.
Published by Aspire Press
An imprint of Hendrickson Publishing Group
Rose Publishing, LLC
P.O. Box 3473
Peabody, Massachusetts 01961-3473 USA
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LONELINESS

How to Be Alone but Not Lonely

JUNE HUNT

• Gives practical advice and Biblical wisdom from June Hunt, a biblical counselor whose award-winning radio program Hope For The Heart is heard on more than 900 radio outlets around the world. For more than 25 years, she has counseled people, offering them hope for todays problems.
• Defines what it means to be alone, explains chronic loneliness, and gives you insight for discerning whether you are suffering because of your loneliness.
• Shows how to enjoy healthy solitude that will bring you closer to God and how to break free from unhealthy loneliness by reaching out, building bridges in ministry, controlling your emotions, and accepting Gods comfort in loneliness.

Dear Friend,

Have you ever thought about what God was referring to the first time He said the words not good ? Was it going without food or shelter? Was it being selfish or proud? No .

In Genesis 2:18 the Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone.

God did not design us to be alone. Although there will be periods when we are alone, that is not to be a permanent state. He knows that after a period of time we certainly can become lonely.

Looking back on my life, I remember a time that was painfully poignant. I was stunned by what had happened to a very special relationship. I was so hurt, so deeply wounded, my heart ached with pain.

While I had the support of a loving mother and several true friends, I didnt want to share with them the depth of my pain. Although they knew some details, I didnt feel like I could unload my overwhelming pain onto anyone. And truthfully, nothing that anyone said or did could have lifted the hurt from my heart.

During this time, I went inside a card store, saw a sentiment about tender relationships and suddenly my eyes filled with tears. And, I remember having tears all the way through a movie about a loving relationship. (As a non-crier, that was very unusual.) I could hardly believe my response. However, the loss of a relationshipwhether by death, divorce, or rejection of any kindcan leave us feeling devastated.

We can feel so lonely, so separated, so isolated, thinking no one really understands. Yet God understands our deepest times of loneliness. He knows the heaviness of our hurt.

Jesus said, Take my yoke upon you (Matthew 11:29). He is willing, and even wants, to lighten the burden of your heavy heart. Then, in turn, He will use your sensitive heart to be a source of strength to help others.

In time, you can be Gods instrument of compassion to come alongside and lighten the hearts of those who are lonely.

What Ive personally learned is this: When my heart has been pressed down with pain, that is when my relationship with the Lord has grown deeper ... deeper ... deeper.

In times of loneliness and sorrow, take this verse to heart ...

I cry to you, O L ORD ; I say, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
(Psalm 142:5)

Yours in the Lords hope,

LONELINESS

How to Be Alone but Not Lonely

Have you ever wondered: When is the first time God says, It is not good? Is it when Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit? Is it when they hide from God? Is it when they refuse to take responsibility for their disobedience?

Actually, prior to all these events, God states in no uncertain terms:

It is not good for the man to be alone. (Genesis 2:18)

God Himself speaks these words after creating the first human beingthe crowning glory of His creation, made in Gods image. Adam is surrounded by indescribable beauty in the Garden of Eden with its unlimited fruit, lush foliage, and a wide array of wildlife. Yet, there is something missingrather, someone .

God causes a deep sleep to come over Adam and removes one of his ribs to form a woman. Then God presents her to Adam, and he is no longer alone .

If you are cut off from relationships, living in isolation, coping alone day by day, God considers this not good. While the Lord doesnt lead everyone to marry, He does call everyone to be involved with people. People, not just charming pets, not just prized possessions, but people . You are called to show interest in people, to express care to people, to sacrificially love people. Remember, Adam was surrounded by animals and objects of beauty in the Garden, yet God considered him alone. And that is why ...

The L ORD God said ... I will make a helper suitable for him. (Genesis 2:18)

Interestingly, the word alone appears 123 times in Scripture (NIV), but rarely is it synonymous with the word lonely . In fact, in English, the noun loneliness did not acquire its present meaning until this century, and did not appear in any major dictionary until after the Second World War. In other words, loneliness has only recently been thought of as a mental condition.

It doesnt take long in the classroom of life to learn that you can experience loneliness even when surrounded by a crowd. But solitude is much different. Properly handled, loneliness can be a doorway leading to a deep relationship with God. Jesus experienced solitude but enjoyed unity with the Father.

You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. (John 16:32)

Have you ever felt lonely in the midst of a crowd, feeling separate from people while in the midst of people ? Its as if a great, invisible wall is keeping you isolated, allowing you to observe but not belong.

Have you ever felt so alone and burdened by sorrows that it was painful to watch others smile, chat, laugh, and go on with their lives with apparent contentment? In this condition, it can feel like no one else walks in your shoes, understands your pain, or senses your struggles.

This is loneliness, the state of sadness that comes from feeling alone, isolated, or cut off from others. This sense of disconnection can be experienced at any timewhen you dont have friends and loved ones nearby or even when you do.