Shuffling past the ladies, I sat on the hard bench and concentrated on the conversation. The strange words excluded me and made my head hurt, while smells of perspiration filled my nose.  

Sighing, I adjusted my chatanga (African skirt) and forced a smile, concealing the wave of loneliness washing over me. Why don't they include me? Did I blunder the greeting or fumble culturally somewhere else? I feel so awkward.  

Have you ever wrestled with loneliness?  

Maybe you long for a friend to hang out with, a spouse to serve with, or a strained relationship to be restored. 

You hide the pain because others might judge you as unspiritual if they knew the truth. After all, you are a global worker and have Jesus, yet your heart aches.  

God didn’t call us to suffer alone. He created us for fellowship and burden-bearing (Galatians 6:2). We might feel alone, but only Jesus was truly alone on the cross. 

“At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 

Jesus hung between two criminals bearing the sins of the world, while bystanders mocked him and God abandoned him. Our sins separated Jesus (and us) from God, but Jesus loved us and took our place so that we would never have to be alone.  

His loneliness resulted in our forgiveness and hope. God promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We might feel alone, but God is always with us. 

As I wrestled with loneliness in Africa, I realized I was surrounded by people desiring fellowship, too. I shifted my focus from my pain to God’s promise. I started initiating conversation and inviting ladies to my house. Slowly, the Lord blessed me with some wonderful friends.  

Loneliness cripples us, but God’s presence comforts us. As Woodrow Kroll penned, "You are never left alone when you are alone with God."