We surround ourselves with many people, yet we are so lonely.
And loneliness can be the worst. No one really wants to admit that they're lonely. It shows weakness and compromises this idea that college years are the "best years of my life" 24/7.
I am afraid of being lonely. I am afraid of not having someone to talk to. I am afraid of having to face my days alone. In my loneliness, I see how constantly I depend on people.
I depend on people for satisfaction. I depend on people for encouragement. I depend on people for love. I depend on people for praise. I depend on people for joy. I depend on people too much. Instead, I should depend on Jesus. He's the ultimate satisfaction for my soul.
Jesus should be my best friend. Yet often, I compromise that truth with my dependence on people.
Loneliness shows me my brokenness. It strips me away from so much dependence, making me realize my need for a Savior. How contrary to culture this is: that I cannot fix my problems myself, but must rely on a Savior. I need saving from the lies that my mind gets wrapped up in. In desperation, I bask in the presence of God. I find solace in the One who remains constant when my world continues to change (Psalm 16:11). I listen to the words of this hymn that continue to teach me steadfastness in the hope of the Lord:
"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul."
Yet I believe so many lies about loneliness. I believe the lie that I am alone in my loneliness. How untrue that is. Especially in a college culture, there are so many lonely people that surround you. It's just so easy to glance past them or not know that they're there.
I'm not writing this for you to feel sorry for me. I don't want this to be a diary entry on the Internet. Instead, I want this to show that there is greater joy even in weird circumstances like loneliness. And even in this, the gospel is present: "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). I am weak, and always will be. But, in His strength, Jesus takes our burdens upon Him (Psalm 55:22). There is such joy in reliance in Him.
Read more foundational truths about loneliness.
