Free Loneliness (June Hunt Hope for the Heart) by June Hunt

Dear Friend,
    Have you ever thought about what God was referring to the first time He said the words “not good” ? Was it going without food or shelter? Was it being selfish or proud? No .
    In Genesis 2:18 the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”
    God did not design us to be alone. Although there will be periods when we are alone, that is not to be a permanent state. He knows that after a period of time we certainly can become lonely.
    Looking back on my life, I remember a time that was painfully poignant. I was stunned by what had happened to a very special relationship. I was so hurt, so deeply wounded, my heart ached with pain.
    While I had the support of a loving mother and several true friends, I didn’t want to share with them the depth of my pain. Although they knew some details, I didn’t feel like I could unload my overwhelming pain onto anyone. And truthfully, nothing that anyone said or did could have lifted the hurt from my heart.
    During this time, I went inside a card store, saw a sentiment about tender relationships and suddenly my eyes filled with tears. And, I remember having tears all the way through a movie about a loving relationship. (As a “non-crier,” that was very unusual.) I could hardly believe my response. However, the loss of a relationship—whether by death, divorce, or rejection of any kind—can leave us feeling devastated.
    We can feel so lonely, so separated, so isolated, thinking no one really understands. Yet God understands our deepest times of loneliness. He knows the heaviness of our hurt.
    Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you” (Matthew 11:29). He is willing, and even wants, to lighten the burden of your heavy heart. Then, in turn, He will use your sensitive heart to be a source of strength to help others.
    In time, you can be God’s instrument of compassion to come alongside and lighten the hearts of those who are lonely.
    What I’ve personally learned is this: When my heart has been pressed down with pain, that is when my relationship with the Lord has grown deeper ... deeper ... deeper.
    In times of loneliness and sorrow, take this verse to heart ...
    “I cry to you, O L ORD ; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’”
(Psalm 142:5)
    Yours in the Lord’s hope,

LONELINESS
    How to Be Alone but Not Lonely
    Have you ever wondered: When is the first time God says, “It is not good? ” Is it when Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit? Is it when they hide from God? Is it when they refuse to take responsibility for their disobedience?
    Actually, prior to all these events, God states in no uncertain terms:
    “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)
    God Himself speaks these words after creating the first human being—the crowning glory of His creation, made in God’s image. Adam is surrounded by indescribable beauty in the Garden of Eden with its unlimited fruit, lush foliage, and a wide array of wildlife. Yet, there is something missing—rather, someone .
    God causes a deep sleep to come over Adam and removes one of his ribs to form a woman. Then God presents her to Adam, and he is no longer alone .
    If you are cut off from relationships, living in isolation, coping alone day by day, God considers this “not good.” While the Lord doesn’t lead everyone to marry, He does call everyone to be involved with people. People, not just charming pets, not just prized possessions, but people . You are called to show interest in people, to express care to people, to sacrificially love people. Remember, Adam was surrounded by animals and objects of beauty in the Garden, yet God considered him “alone.” And that is why ...
    “The L ORD God said ... ‘I will make a helper suitable for him.’” (Genesis 2:18)

DEFINITIONS
    Interestingly, the word alone appears 123 times in Scripture (NIV), but rarely is it synonymous with the word lonely . In fact, in English, the noun “loneliness” did not acquire its