The One Cure for Loneliness

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls'" (Matthew 11:28,29).

You ever feel lonely? I do. It’s amazing how you can still be lonely even if you are surrounded by people. It proves that the hole is only filled from feeling truly understood and accepted: from being unconditionally loved. So often I—and maybe you—try to fill the gap with things that do not fill at all. It’s like pouring water in your car’s gas tank and expecting it to go. Maybe you’ve been trying to fill the gap with success or relationships. But you still can’t shake the loneliness.

Jesus wants to fill that gap. The Bible talks about the concept of “a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). The picture is of a friend who is committed to you through thick and thin. Imagine going through a really hard time where everyone leaves you, but your one friend stands by your side and says, “I love you. I’m committed to you ‘til the end, and I’m never going to leave.” That’s the kind of friendship Jesus offers you.

Jesus never leaves His friends. When people criticized his disciples, He stood up for them. When they did stupid things, He was patient with them. Even when they abandoned Him at His death, He came back to show them He was resurrected. But the greatest act of His friendship was taking on the worst death possible to save their lives. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Did you know that you are one His friends if you believe in Him? Jesus is the one that is never going to leave you, criticize you, or misunderstand you—and He wants to be your best friend.

Just starting talking to Him today. Tell Him how you feel. Tell Him what you need help with. Ask Him your questions. If you call out to Him, He will answer you. His friendship is the gasoline that will truly fill your tank.

So this week, let us pray that:

• Jesus will become your best friend
• We will be good friends to others
• God will pour out His Spirit on all those coming to the Global Media Outreach sites

THANK YOU so much for your prayers. God loves you!

May God bless you.