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You may feel lonely, but you are never alone

1 Corinthians 12: 25-27 

“So that there should be no division in the body, but that it’s parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” 

One thing about me is that I have fluctuated through feelings of loneliness. Sometimes it was self-inflicted, other times a situation occurred. Loneliness is an unescapable feeling. Whether you have felt it before, whether you are feeling it now, it’s a common thing we all go through. The key thing to remember when you are going through this feeling is that it is simply just a feeling. I’m not saying to ignore your emotions, but just because you feel lonely, doesn’t mean you have to attach it to your reality.  

When I look back at all the times, I have felt lonely, I realise that there was always someone to lean on: it might be your Mum or Dad, a sibling, or even a friend, there is always someone. If you find yourself not having anyone to go to, trust that God will always be there, and he won’t leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) 

Another key thing to remember is to be intentional with relationships. We are not called to live life alone. There is power in community. Growing up I had some friends say to me “I don’t go to church because I have a personal relationship with God”, and though our relationship with God is personal and intimate, don’t let that block you from experiencing the love of having a family.  

Individualistic behaviour prevents accountability. We all need to be discipled and be disciples and the best environment is within the church. Pay close attention to the terminology Paul uses throughout his letters. He uses collective pronouns like “us”, “we”, “brothers”, “sisters”: clearly emphasising the cause for family. If we are truly bodies of Christ, then surely one body part can’t coexist without the other.  

Relating to the verse, I wanted to pay close attention to the word “suffering”. The tone suggests that suffering isn’t just a possibility in life, it’s a reality. Because we are bodies of Christ, we share in his suffering, probably not in the same capacity, but in some way, we are bound to suffering. If we are all subject to the same suffering, why not help each other along this journey? 

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