An online thesurus gives this for the word lone. lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship, while lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness; forlorn and desolate are even more isolated and sad. I don't know why I think it is so amusing that we have degrees of misery. I was trying to find a good title for this blog and this is what I came across. It just struck me as funny. I guess if someone tells me they are struggling with loneliness I should give thanks that it is not forlorn or desolation they are feeling. Sorry for this little satire, please read on to real reason I started this.

I am going to be teaching a lesson on loneliness at a Singles Conference that my church is hosting. I am looking for some input from Christians that have dealt with this in their lives. You don’t have to be single to respond, but I am looking for responses from those who have overcome this or are overcoming it now.

When I speak to singles about being lonely, I know all of the responses to give: lean on God in your hard times, Jesus is your spouse, the word, it is all about choices, etc., etc., etc.

But what about those times when that is not enough? When it is not enough to get you through a rough patch or when you are new to the body of Christ. How do we deal with the loneliness? What/Who will comfort us? What should we do? What do we do when we can’t stop the tears and there is no one there?

Having asked some of these questions myself, I have found that this is a big issue for singles, especially those that are new and still raw from the world. Even solid life-long Christians have dealt, even struggled, with this. Loneliness that goes unattended often leads to relationships and marriages where the sole purpose is companionship. As you all know this never turns out well.

I really want to make this a teaching of significance. I want all Christians to know that it is okay to feel this way (but not stay this way). Feeling loneliness in your life doesn’t mean that you failed or missed God. I think we loose many single Christians on this issue.

If the divorce rate is 50%, then shouldn’t the churches population be 50% single? Why isn’t it? Well I am now rambling, sorry. I am very passionate about this part of the body and I want their healing and restoration.

Please take a moment and let me know what you think, feel, and or would like people to know on the subject. Thanks in advance for your prayers for this conference.