We’ve spent some good times as a family beside (and in) that river, but yesterday I was there alone for a run. Short times by myself like that can be good to recharge (at least for introverts like me!), but real loneliness can be a real problem. We’ve probably all felt the pain of wanting more friends or just wanting someone to talk to. The key is to wait for the right people instead of making things worse.
1 may be the loneliest number, but it’s still better to be alone than surrounded by a crowd of wrong influences. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” If we spend a lot of time with people who are going the wrong way, we'll end up joining them.
Proverbs 21:19 says, “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.” I’m sure girls agree that the same could be said about an angry guy as well! It’s better to be alone than with the wrong people, but it’s best of all to be with people who help us live God’s way. I’m so thankful for my Godly wife Jen, and I’m thankful that I waited on God to bring her into my life instead of running ahead of His timing when I was lonely.
Loneliness can be difficult, but let’s never make it worse by choosing the wrong friends or even dating the wrong person just to not be alone. And remember that Christians always have the perfect Friend with us: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up” (Psalms 27:10). Let’s stay busy doing right and being the right kind of friend and let God take care of the rest.
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