The journey of one’s life sometime looks so long. We pass through different locations and bus stops. For some people one of the most important things they may have to face and overcome or deal with as appropriate is LONELINESS. Are you a lonely person? Is your life becoming fruitful or futile? Are you the one who loved and was never loved?
In this conference study, we examine the experiences and examples of loneliness, the effects and how to deal with the spirit of loneliness.
EXPERIENCE OF LONELINESS:
(A) From your practical experiences, discuss what you think loneliness entails in the following areas:
(a) Spiritual
(b) Personal
(c) Companionship
(B) Pastor David Jeremiah has identified some experiences of loneliness- Let us discuss them in details and probably show the category you belong to.
(a) The lonely single-These are matured individuals who are yet to marry and are tired of living alone. They feel lonely because they are single.
(b) The lonely spouse-Individuals though married but live in loneliness either because his/her partner is married to one other thing- e.g work, job, sports, pleasure or interest
(c) The lonely survivor -These are people who live on while their loved ones had passed unto glory-widows/widowers/orphans.
(d) The lonely senior citizen-These are people once upon a time had occupied important positions in our nations, community , state and as a result a lot of people danced round them, calling their favour. Today they are out of power few people remember them.
(e) The lonely sufferer -Those confined to a particular location or their beds as a result of a problem-sick in the hospitals, the bedridden, the blind, the deaf and dumb etc.
(f) The lonely servant of God-These are servants of God who left their people for another culture entirely without understanding their languages or culture. Do you consider John the beloved thrown to island of Patmos, David Livingstone and our present day missionaries around the world?
NATURE OF WIDOWHOOD
In studying the word of God and doing the work of ministry among widows, we have identified the following forms of widowhood:
(a) Earthly Widow/er/Orphan – No partner is dead but both on earth living as widow/er. Some women consider their husbands as only “the fathers of their children!” 11 Sam. 20:3, Lam 5:3, John 4:7-20.Jesus told this woman that even though she was married to a man yet she was a widow vs 17-18.
(b) Aged widows/ers-The Bible talks of these people as aged 60 years and above. 1 Tim.5:5-7, Example Luke 2:37, Ruth 1:12.
(c) Widows/ers of Hope-Young or Relatively young widows or widowers who still desire (hope) to remarry. Ruth 1:12, 1 Tim 5: 11-15
(d) Wealthy widows/ers- A well to-do widow/er who has material wealth. Their yearning and aspirations are different from those of others. However, they have serious roles to play in a ministry like this. 1 Kings 17:9
(e) Widow/ers without offspring(s) – I have met many of them. 1 Tim.5:4
(f) Young and determined Widows/ers- Even thoughyoung,but decided not to re-marry.1Cor.7:7-9,37,Lk 1:36- 38
(g) Poor widows/ers-These are widows whose standard of life cannot be described. There are cases of widows who traded their daughters in immorality to get daily food Lk 21: 2-3. What makes most widows poor is debt. 11 Kings 4: 1.
Giving consideration to the status of Widows/Widowers/Orphans, kindly discuss the effects of their loneliness on the following.
(i) Decision making
(ii) Companionship
(iii) Caring/Responsibilities
(iv) Mental memory of the past
(v) Spiritual/Emotional Responsibilities
(vi) Sleeping/Night Experiences
(vii) Project/Development
(viii) Enthusiasm and Access to information
EXAMPLES OF LONELY PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE
(a) Adam – Gen. 2:18. It was God himself that recognized the loneliness of Adam. Please identify why Adam was lonely and what God did about this.
(b) David, the King. PS. 102; 3, 6- 7, Ps. 142:4 What categoryof loneliness do you think David belonged? Are you not surprised that somebody like David could be so lonely?
(c) Jeremiah-9:2
(d) Paul, the Apostle-II Tim 4:9-16
(e) Joseph- In the land of slavery, inside prison. Gen. 40: 14-15
(f) Our Lord Jesus- Eli, Eli………..Matt. 27: 46
GETTING OUT OF LONELINESS
Loneliness in itself is not a sin. It is natural and a choice. One can choose to come out of it by accepting Jesus and allow Him to help. He has come to give abundant life He can help those tempted since He had suffered same. The following are suggestive ways of escape from loneliness:
(a) We must not just overlook or feel unconcerned about our Loneliness.
(b) Fill your heart with God’s word and read books that are exciting Pro. 27: 10, Heb. 12:5-6.
(c) Trust and accept Gods verdict on your loneliness. Let us face the reality and know that God can help us Matt. 27: 4-6.
(d) For widow/ers who are young and desire to marry, should bury their pride and go-ahead but only in the Lord.
(e) Build new ALTARS unto God. Altars of doing something for God or involved in a job, Altars of good network of Christian Friends.
(f) If convenient, change your Environment.
(g) Prayer- Everything in life needs prayer.