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I once went to Korea for a conference. Everywhere, there were so many people. On the street, in the malls, and in restaurants. There was a restaurant on the top floor of the hotel I stayed.
At night, I went up and stood by the window. When I looked out the window, I could see so many houses and building. I was surprised to see so many crosses. All lit up.
Then, suddenly, a wave of loneliness washed over me. There were so many people there, but I was alone. Nobody knows me and cares about me, I felt.
Loneliness is a common symptom of our modern life. People do so many activities, and they have so many friends and family, and yet they still feel lonely.
Loneliness is not caused by being alone. Loneliness is caused by disconnectedness. You sense that nobody understands you, and nobody cares about you.
Even in relationships, you detect a lack of authenticity and sincerity. People say they care, but you feel they don’t really care.
Especially when you have hard times, the loneliness becomes amplified. Nobody can help you. You are all alone dealing with your problems.
On the cross, Jesus cried out,
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
Jesus felt abandoned. Of course, God did not abandon him. But when you suffer, you feel abandoned. That was what Jesus experienced. Jesus experienced the ultimate suffering. In that ultimate suffering, he felt abandoned.
A feeling of rejection and a feeling of not being wanted cause loneliness.
People fear that. There is even a word for it. FOMO. (Fear Of Missing Out)
Jesus said,
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Matthew 10:28)
Here the body includes not only our physical body but our emotions. Do not be afraid of people who reject you and make you feel abandoned.
You are not alone. God is with you.
Jesus proclaimed this good news.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)
God cares about you. You are precious to God.
Loneliness can be overcome not by having more activities and having more friends. Loneliness can be overcome when you have a strong sense of self-worth. You can have this self-worth when you have faith in God who cares about you.
This is what Isaiah said.
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:1, 2)
God is always with you and deeply cares about you.
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