This question is part of a series, The Questions You Ask. I mean the responses to be short. If there is something you would like me to go more in depth on, please let me know.
How can somebody overcome crippling loneliness, despite having plenty of friends?
I saved this question for last, because it is the hardest to answer briefly and maybe the most important question asked during this season in human history. I got input from friends in the world of counseling.
First, we need to garner some understanding of where this pain comes from. There are multiple roots, but here are some questions to consider in self-examination.
- Are you battling anxiety or depression?
- Have you faced a trauma you have shoved down and leaves you feeling disassociated from loved ones?
- Do you have friends you feel you can be gut level honest with?
- Do you see yourself as someone worth knowing?
How do we respond to this pain? You may need to find some professional help, especially in the first two cases (I can point you in the right direction if you need to talk to someone). Beyond that, feelings of isolation and loneliness come from a negative place. God made us to live in a community. You need to change the story you are telling yourself. Start speaking and writing the things you are thankful for, look for ways to serve other people. Look at your thought patterns, are you living in the negative how can you interrupt that flow of self-talk. Lean more into developing a relationship with God who provides the highest value for you.
I went a little over the word count, but it needed to happen. I end with this quote from Mother Teresa, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”