There’s a need that we all carry. It’s a desire to feel connected. When that need isn’t met, we end up feeling alone, disconnected, and even lost.
Our minds will start wondering and want to experiment with a different mechanism to try to fill the void of loneliness.
Different ways to fill it can involve sex, excessive shopping, overeating, substance abuse, entertainment, work, and the list goes on. While we can try to fill it with other substitutes, the relief will be temporary because those things were not created to fill.
It’s even possible to feel lonely and be surrounded by people. Or be married and have lots of friends, yet still feel so alone.
This void is due to our disconnection from God. He is the one who gives our life meaning and a purpose to live.
Whether this empty feeling started because of childhood trauma, poor guidance from our parents, betrayal from a relationship, or a life’s disappointment, God’s fulfillment is the only thing we need because it has the power to meet our greatest needs.
God loves bringing order and purpose into places that are disorderly. No matter how strange our thoughts may be, or how dark and unworthy we feel, God’s love for us is stronger and can break that cycle of loneliness. So much that we won’t have to run to outside sources.
An example we see of God’s ability to transform is at the beginning of creation. When the earth was not like we see it now, God’s words gave light to a dark place.
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
Genesis 1:2
We must have faith in God’s ability to fill the emptiness we feel inside. He can help us live life abundantly, without looking elsewhere to satisfy our needs. He is enough.
How to fill that void
When we feel alone, we can turn to Jesus Christ and call out to Him.
Isaiah 46:4 gives us a beautiful promise: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
When we feel abandoned and rejected by the world, we can rest assured that God does not leave us. God does not let us fall into despair.
Through prayer, as we call out to God, we can let our guard down and accept his fulfilling presence.
Learn to depend on God for fulfillment
God’s word teaches us to see what’s weak, as an opportunity for God to take over and make us strong. From now on, we can use the feeling of loneliness as an invitation for God’s presence to work in us.
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10
We delight in weakness, not because it’s fulfilling, but because that’s when God shows up.
With God, we no longer victimize our loneliness, instead, we find victory in Him. In prayer, we can experience God’s tangible presence. When we read the Bible, the words fill us up.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
In other words, the Bible is not a regular book. It’s a book with power that will set us free from loneliness.
“The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
Proverbs 19:23
In Him, we will find rest. We will find satisfaction for our souls. Let’s remember that God did not give us life, so we won’t enjoy it. His desire for us is to live a life of peace.
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
It’s important to continuously practice running to the feet of Jesus when these feelings arise because it will build a strong foundation, and we won’t bend at the sight of loneliness.
Prayer to remove Loneliness
Dear God,
I feel empty and alone. I am tired of turning to things that don’t fulfill me, so I turn to you and surrender these feelings. You know me better than I know myself. I ask you to examine me and remove the root of loneliness from my life. Free me from this feeling that wants to place me as a victim and not experience the victory you laid out for me. Blow your breath of life and give me purpose once again. Allow your Spirit to hover over me, over this atmosphere, over my family, and over my home. Give light to this dark place. I ask you to satisfy every need and give us the freedom to live life abundantly. Thank you, Lord, for when I am weak, you are my strength. Give me the grace to follow you and rest in your presence. In the name of Jesus, Amen.