Does God care when I’m lonely? That is the next question in our Does God Care series?
WE BEGIN IN SAMARIA
Jesus and the disciples were on their way to Galilee. Now most ‘good’ Jews went the long way to get there rather than go though Samaria. Why? Because Samaritans weren’t pure bred Jews. God’s love wasn’t for them! But, as always, Jesus wasn’t a racist and carried this ‘loving others’ too far. He decided to take the shorter route and rub elbows with these people.
I guess when condemning the Samaritans the Israelites conveniently forgot about Rahab.
This brave woman put her life on the line because she recognized that the God of Abraham was the one true God. Therefore, she helped the Israelite spies escape detection in Jericho. After the Israelites attacked her city, she was saved by the conquerors and converted to Judaism. She married an Israelite and is listed in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1:5. Oh, and another inconvenient truth is Ruth, a Moabite, is also listed in the ancestry of Jesus!
THE WOMAN AT THE WELL
Well, it was bad enough Jesus and company were in Samaria, but while the disciples are getting food Jesus runs into a woman of ill-repute as he rests at Jacob’s well. Leave Jesus alone for a minute and trouble finds Him.
Most of us know the story. Her life was one of promiscuity and bad choices. Another reason to hate her. However, once again, Rahab ruins their theory. After all, Rahab’s life wasn’t exactly pure. She ran an inn in Jericho, which was not a particularly honorable profession in those days. It might indicate that she was a prostitute or perhaps a madam.
Moreover, the woman who found Jesus at the well was living with a man who was not her husband. Unfortunately, not scandalous today, but in New Testament times – disgraceful.
So, this woman probably had people around her, but she was still lonely and isolated. That is most likely why she went to the well in the heat of the day instead of morning and evening when the ‘reputable’ women fetched water.
A theological discussion ensued. Are you kidding me, Jesus? Having a deep discussion with any woman, especially this woman, was shocking. But Jesus knew that opening the door to true faith brings salvation and allowed her to share the Messiah with others.
Despite her behavior of avoidance, today she told everyone about this remarkable man she met. “Many of the Samaritans in that town believed because of what the woman said” (John 4:39 NCV). Her loneliness gone. She knew her Savior and was part of the fold.
SO, DOES GOD CARE WHEN I’M LONELY?
The answer is a resounding yes. Don’t think for a minute the encounter at the well was by chance.
Then there is the woman who bled for twelve years. This made her unclean and unable to go to the Temple and socialize normally. Jesus not only healed her, but took the time to look her in the eye and give her honor. (Mark 5: 25-29)
Then there were the ten, mostly ungrateful, lepers. Talk about lonely. Isolation was there entire life. Jesus healed them, knowing they would not be grateful for his benevolence. (Luke 17: 11-19)
And remember Mary Magdalene’s loneliness at the tomb? Her friend and teacher died. I love the visual when Jesus speaks to her. (John 20: 11-18)
WHAT DOES LONELY ACTUALLY MEAN?
The dictionary says it is a feeling people get when they are friendless and without companionship, but I don’t think that really describes loneliness. As mentioned above, the woman at the well probably had people in her life. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t lonely.
I don’t know about you, but I often feel lonely in a crowd. I think loneliness is when you don’t have people to connect with in life. You are facing grief, problems, sickness, without people who really care.
Unfortunately, many people who attend church regularly feel this way and that is a condemnation of the church. We say, hi, how are you? Or ask about the prayer chain request. Of course, we say we’ll pray or wish blessings on them, but are we really there for others?
SO, WHAT IS THE ANWER TO LONELINESS?
In reality the answer is summed up in one Scripture, Ephesians 4:2b: ‘bear with one another in love.’ Sounds simple, but it is a tall order.
The answer to the question, does God care when I’m lonely is a resounding YES. However, the prescription for this malady is us – caring human beings. It is His answer for many problems. We are to visit those in prison, take care of the sick, show compassion, be patient, and forgive others. Spend time with the lonely like Jesus did. It will cure their loneliness and ours at the same time.
READY, SET, GO AWAY FROM LONELINESS
Click here for some Scriptures that will help you during lonely times. But don’t just read them, act on Jesus’ example. Reach out to the lonely for your own sake as well at their emotional health.
Share in comments times of loneliness in your life and how you overcame. You can also request prayer, suggest a Bible story to read, a biblical woman to study, or tell us about a time you helped another out of loneliness.
Hi Patrice. I am getting to know a lonely woman at church. I find myself thinking “she needs me”. True, she does need friends. But I want my motive to be that of seeking true friendship, not just feeling I should fill her need. Would you pray for me to love with Christ’s love? Thanks.
Of course, I will pray. I am sure the “friendship” aspect will evolve in time. I think God honors our intentions when they are pure and loving as yours are in this circumstance.
Covid and returning covid makes getting together pretty tough, especially those who chose not to get the jabs. I think because of this , the suggestions are somewhat unrealistic.
In the last 2 years, I have gone through a divorce, lost my mother and stepdad through death , and lost my 3 only friends through an unfortunate situation. (That’s a long story). Needless to say, I am very lonely. During this time I have visited numerous churches, hoping to build new friendships, however I have been greatly disappointed. It’s just like you said in this article, it’s all very superficial. I attended numerous bible studies, and even community groups, hoping to connect, however it was all very superficial. I have come to the conclusion that unfortunately, people are overly busy and stressed out, and building a “real” friendship requires time and commmittment. I have not attended church in person for the last 6 months because going to church has been such a painful, disappointing experience for me. I am 69 years old, and I have given up hope that I will ever find a friend, although I have tried other ways to make friends, also. Churches now days are so different from pre-covid days. I believe strongly that this is just another sign of the “end times”. Satan keeps people so busy that no one has time to just be a friend. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the way of the world today.