Pastor David Koop 

Every one of us faces loneliness at some point in our lives and God will always give us courage to walk through it.

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Stacey's testimony

Situations that create loneliness:

1. Loss (a loved one, a job, a relationship, a pet)
2. Sickness
3. Rejection (Peer pressure – feeling we don’t fit in.)
4. Poor choices
5. Maverick attitude (Running ahead of God and doing it in the flesh or moving away from God in rebellion.)
6. Change  (New job, country, school, church)
7. Visions and dreams.

Harmful effects of loneliness:

1. Feeling isolated and cut off from others. (John 10:10)
1. The most severe punishment in jail is solitary confinement.
2. Ecclesiastes 4:10
   If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.
2. Break down in physical health.
1. In a surprising number of cases of premature coronary heart disease and premature death, interpersonal unhappiness, the lack of love, and human loneliness seem to appear as root causes of physical problems. - James Lynch of the University of Maryland Medical School
3. State of unhappiness and depression.
4. Development of unhealthy relationships.
5. Rebellion against those who have not accepted you.

How to deal with loneliness:

1. Understand that God understands you.
1. God did not create us to live alone.
2. Genesis 2:18
   And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone.”
3. Jesus experienced the ultimate loneliness at the cross. (Matthew 27:46)
4. God desires to live in fellowship with us and recognizes this is one of the basic needs in our lives. (Philippians 4:19)
2. Remember that God is always with you.
1. We may leave Him but He never leaves us.
2. Psalm 27:10 
   Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.
3. Isaiah 41:10 
   Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
4. Isaiah 43:2
   When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
5. Romans 8:38 
   And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.
6. Hebrews 13:5b
   For God has said,  “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.”
3. Build relationships with others.
1. Get planted in church.
2. Psalm 92:13 
   Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
3. Hebrews 10:25
   We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.
4. Take the initiative. How often do you have someone over for supper?
5. Let go of self-pity. Volunteer and reach out to others.
6. Proverbs 18:24 
   A man who has friends must himself be friendly.
7. Luke 6:38
   Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.
8. Romans 12:16
   Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
9. Be genuine and limit electronic interaction. We were designed to experience fellowship with the five senses.
10. Proverbs 13:20 
    Become wise by walking with the wise.