HANDLING LONELINESS By Jackie M. Johnson

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted" (Psalm 25:16, NIV).

Do you know someone who is recently widowed, divorced, or homebound with an illness? Do you know anyone who is new in town, or who travels frequently on business?

Perhaps you know someone in prison, in the military or in a nursing home.

These are just some of the people in life that may experience loneliness in one form or another. But you don't have to be by yourself in order to be lonely. Many people feel alone in the middle of a crowd because inside they feel inferior or rejected. Some people feel misunderstood or unwanted so they isolate themselves; they are afraid of getting hurt by others. While they silently keep to themselves, deep inside they are longing for interaction with another.

Does this sound like anyone you know? Some people try to fill up the empty places in their heart by overeating, drinking excessively or other addictive behaviors.

True, only God can fill our emptiness with himself, but we need human contact, too. Perhaps you've heard the story about the little boy whose Father told him that God loves him and the boy replied, "But Daddy, sometimes I need someone with skin on."

Sometimes we learn the most important life lessons during an empty, silent time. Traits like patience and submission give us character and strengthen our faith as we learn to trust God for his provision.

Jesus took time to go to the lonely places and pray. Perhaps one of his loneliest times was when he prayed alone in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was betrayed. Or, when he was hanging from a wooden cross. The One who knows true loneliness is indeed our True Companion.

How can you be "someone with skin on" to a lonely person today? How can you hold out hope and reach out a person in need?

Someone in your neighborhood, church, community or even circle of friends needs your warmth, encouragement and listening ear. Lord, teach us to trust You during the lonely times in out lives. Be our True Companion and help us to reach out to others who may need a friend.