The title of this post is an oxymoron.

But it’s true. Even when we feel lonely, we’re not alone. We’re never alone in our loneliness. Because God is with us… and also, we’re not the only ones experiencing these feelings. I’d say pretty much all of us feel lonely from time to time.

Last year on Valentine’s Day, I felt so lonely. I remember writing about it in my journal that night. It was funny, because I’d just written a blog post all about things we should remember when Valentine’s Day doesn’t meet our expectations. 

Even so, I felt lonely. I couldn’t stop hurt from creeping in.

Valentine’s Day falls right in the middle of tax season. And last year, it was also one of my accountant husband’s busiest weeks. Seth had been working out of town and wouldn’t get home until late that night. Leaving me alone on Valentine’s Day.

I knew Seth had this business trip planned. I knew he didn’t have a choice. I knew we’d be apart that day. I knew I’d be alone. 

But I still felt lonely. 

When I got home to an empty house, I couldn’t help but feel sad. I opened my valentines from my kindergarteners, ate some chocolate, watched Gilmore Girls, and talked to my mom on the phone. I scrolled through Instagram, answered some emails, and washed some dishes.

I was productive, but I wanted to be doing what everyone else was doing. I wanted to spend time with the man I love.

Then I realized this: the only reason I was extra lonely that day was that I wanted to be doing what I saw everyone else doing.

Maybe I wasn’t even feeling extra lonely until I started scrolling through photos of everyone else’s red roses and date nights. We’re comparing our lives to the highlight reels of others.

Is it possible that connectivity is making us lonelier?

Social media was meant to make us feel connected, but instead, we’ve isolated ourselves. We’ve exchanged true connection for virtual connection, and it’s not working.

But let’s take a step back.

Let’s look at this emotion called loneliness.

Merriam-Webster defines lonely as simply, “sad from being alone.” And that sums it up well. On Valentine’s Day last year, I was sad because I was alone.

Then again, I wasn’t really alone, was I? I was lacking human company, but I wasn’t alone. I follow a God who has promised to never leave me alone. I follow a God who says, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Never.

That’s a strong word. That’s a word of commitment. That’s a word of promise, and I follow a God who doesn’t break the promises He makes to His children.

Now, I believe you can follow Jesus and still feel lonely sometimes. We’re human. Our emotions can be a messy thing. Right now, during this season of social distancing and self-isolation in response to COVID-19, I’m guessing many of us are experiencing feelings of loneliness.

But following Jesus does mean that we don’t have to be lonely, even when by the world’s standards, we are alone.

Think about it. In our moments of being alone, we don’t have to sink into feelings of loneliness. We can take advantage of these opportunities to spend time one-on-one with our Savior. We can praise and pray and reflect and settle into the loving arms of Christ.

Sometimes we just need to be more aware of the Spirit inside us. Sometimes we just need that reminder that we’re not alone.

And since we’re not alone, we don’t need to feel lonely. 

Never forget… you are onederfully created by that same God who has promised never to leave you or forsake you.

Love,
Becca