Loneliness is a sad feeling of lack or loss of companionship. Loneliness is a feeling where a person misses others’ fellowship and friendship. In 2010, the AARP conducted a survey which discovered that 35% of adults were chronically lonely. Another study reflected that close to 20% of Americans (60 million people) experience incessant sadness due to loneliness.

What to do with loneliness:

• Pray. Ask God for help to overcome the overwhelming dark blanket of loneliness.
• See a counselor/mentor/coach/discipleship partner.
• Make efforts to stay connected to your friends, family, and colleagues.
• Serve others and/or volunteer at church.
• Write a gratitude list. Count your blessings, and share them with others.

Here are some Bible verses to read when loneliness creeps into your life.

• “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth … I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16–18).
• “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
  “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me” (Psalm 27:10).
• “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
• “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
• “‘For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:10).
• “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears” (Psalm 18:6).
• “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’ ” (Isaiah 41:13).
• “Be strong and of good courage … for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).