In 2017 the U.S. Surgeon General announced a threat to national public health that was more dangerous than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It shortened a lifespan by eight years. And it affected almost half of the adult population. He wasn’t talking about lung cancer or heart disease.
He was talking about loneliness.
As somewhat of an introvert the anxiety that I have being around small or large groups of people has always been a struggle. But I’ve learned we need each other, we are made for relationships. Going to church on Wednesdays or Sundays, and even having dinner with family or friends brightens my day and even my week. It makes such a difference. In Genesis 2:18 God said “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God knows it is not good for us to be alone. I believe that is one of the reasons we know that he is always with us and that he is the most important relationship we can have.
What a feeling to know that no matter what, God is always with us and we never have to be alone. We need to enjoy solitude with our Lord to become closer and to hear him, but we never need to be alone.
"come close to god, and god will come close to you. wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between god and the world." James 4:8
"A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked." Psalm 84:10
Daily Reading: Is Being alone good?
James 4:8; Psalm 84:10