What does the bible say about loneliness? Let me start by saying that as Christians, there are certain things that we need to grow into maturity in our faith. Like sapling trees or plant seedlings, we need nurturing. Of course, the most important nourishment we can give ourselves is Spiritual Food in the form of the Bible – a daily reading plan is often helpful – and prayer, the act of talking and listening to God.
But whilst Spiritual food is essential, like seedlings and saplings, there is something else that we need: other Christians around us to support us as we grow.
Sometimes it’s pride, sometimes it’s stubbornness, sometimes it’s just a sheer desire for independence – but for most people, there are times when we just want to “go it alone”. We might convince ourselves that we don’t need others around us to help us grow as Christians, that we’re doing just fine on our own and we don’t want or need other people interfering with our personal relationship with God.
We might even be tempted to think that getting too involved with other people will hinder our growth as Christians. But the truth of the matter is that we do need the strength and support of others. A sapling or seedling without some kind of support will grow crooked, bend, and possibly even break or die away. The same is true of our faith.
Christianity isn’t something that was ever meant to be a solo operation. From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus surrounded Himself with people that He trusted and who respected Him. And although much of His ministry was focused on building others up, there were times when Jesus looked to His disciples to strengthen Him.
Christianity is all about relationships and community. As the body of Christ, we all need others to support our growth, and, in turn, we support the growth of others by giving them the encouragement and nourishment that they need.
When Jesus sent His disciples out to preach, He sent them in pairs, not alone, knowing, as He did, the importance of relationship and community. We should not forget that Jesus, although on earth as one man, remained a part of the three-fold Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and it was therefore impossible for Him not to be in community or relationship. And because man was created in the image of God, mankind was not created to be alone in any capacity.
Eve was created by God because God knew that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Moreover, Jesus tells us that “where two or three are gathered…there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). That’s not to say that our quiet times alone with God are not vital and valid encounters with our Heavenly Father – it just means that in terms of our growth, it’s better to be a part of a team than being a soloist.
Some people find it hard to develop the kind of trust-based relationships that they need to grow and mature in their faith. Their worldly experiences have taught them to fear others rather than to look to them for support and encouragement. There may be major obstacles to overcome before those relationships can be established. But God is a gentle and patient father who will make straight the ways towards relationship and community. He loves us too much to let us attempt to “grow it alone”.
Are you a “grow your own” type of Christian? Do you struggle to trust others enough? Are you afraid of admitting the doubts and questions that you sometimes have? Be reassured – doubts and questions are common-place, you are not alone in struggling to trust, and as a Christian, you are surrounded by a community of believers who are ready and able to provide the support you need to grow strong and tall in your faith. And there will be times when it’s you doing the supporting.
That’s the crux of the Christian community. When we are born again into the family of believers that is the body of Christ, we can be certain that from that moment on we are never walking, or standing, alone.
Bible Verses About Loneliness
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Psalm 142:4
Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.
Psalm 73:23-26
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward, you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
1 Chronicle 16:11
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Psalm 121:1-2
A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 139:1-2
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
1 Samuel 12:22
For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.
2 Timothy 4:16-18
At my first defense, no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 John 4:13
By this, we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
Psalm 68:6
God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
Hebrews 13:1-25
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” …
Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grows weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted, but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Deuteronomy
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Psalm 27:10
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
Genesis 2:18
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
