2008.07.13 - Loneliness

How to Deal With Loneliness

Game: Solitaire

Loneliness is:

• Inevitable in this life.

• An unimagined blessing .

4 Causes of Loneliness

Transitions

Transitions

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “I am about to be poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the

good fight, I have finished the race, I kept the faith.”

Separation

Separation

2 Timothy 4:9, 21 “Do your best to come to me quickly…. Do your best to get here

before winter.”

Opposition

2 Timothy 4:14 “He did me a great deal of harm. He strongly opposed our

message.”

Rejection

2 Timothy 4:16 “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone

deserted me.”

Rejection

2 Tim. 4:10 “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.”

Dealing With Loneliness

1. Utilize My Time .

2 Timothy 4:13 “When you come, bring my coat… and bring my scrolls,

especially the parchments.”

2. Minimize My Hurt . Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no

bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

2. Minimize My Hurt . 2 Timothy 4:16 …“may it not be held

against them.”

3. Recognize God’s Presence

Hebrews 13:5-6 “I will never leave you nor will I forsake you.”

3. Recognize God’s Presence

2 Timothy 4:17 “But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength.”

4. Prioritize Others* Stop building Walls .

4. Prioritize Others2 Timothy 4:17b “…So that through me the message might be fully proclaimed.

All the Gentiles might hear it.”

4. Prioritize Others•Stop building Walls .•Start building Bridges.

4. Prioritize Others•Stop building Walls .•Start building Bridges.

–The Service Bridge.

4. Prioritize Others•Stop building Walls .•Start building Bridges.

–The Service Bridge.–The Friendship Bridge.