loneliness

This Wednesday was Valentine’s Day. For many people, this day means chocolates, roses, a romantic dinner or a movie date. But for others this day is like any other, one more day feeling the weight of loneliness. While some celebrate love, many people are feeling right now the atrocious effects of loneliness.

In a recent study published by Global News here in Canada, the psychologist Julianne Holt-Lunstad found that social isolation contributes as strongly to mortality as does smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Yes, you heard that right, loneliness is associated with various health effects such as cardiovascular problems, cellular aging, among others. In said article, Dr. Holt-Lunstad ends up saying: “Our relationships help provide a sense of meaning and purpose in life. And that can translate to better self-care as well as less risk-taking.” ¹

Now, in the book of Genesis, we read about how God created the universe. On the six successive days of creation, God spoke and what He said happened. Even more, after every day of creative work God himself confirmed that everything He created was good indeed. Until He noticed that something was not right. Man was alone.Not even the majesty of Eden and the company of all the animal kingdom could fill man’s need for social relationships. God then, in his infinite wisdom, formed from one of Adam’s ribs his wife Eve, his suitable helper and the object of his love. At that precise moment God gave Adam, and by extrapolation to all mankind, the solution to loneliness, this is, love: to receive and give love.

Although in the following chapters we see that sin began to sicken the social fibers of humanity, the love cord of God never broke. As the New Testament shows us, the Father sent his Son into the world so that we can once again experience real love and from there give it to others through the work of the Spirit in our lives (not for nothing the first fruit of the Holy Spirit is love). I invite you to let yourself be used by God this week and show your love to those who feel alone. Do not let loneliness take place in your life and in the lives of those around you. You have the solution: God’s love.