Dealing With Loneliness

Do you ever feel like you have no one to talk to? Do you get depressed because no one seems to really care about you? Do you feel like there is no one around who you really get along with and connect with, someone who shares your faith and can help you grow? This is exactly how Elsie felt while she was living with her grandfather at Roselands plantation.

Elsie was often lonely because of the absence of her father, whom she had never met. All of her young aunts and uncles received the love and protection of a mother and father. This made her feel very alone and left her longing for the love of a parent. On top of this, no one at Roselands really seemed to care for Elsie.

"True, Adelaide often treated Elsie affectionately, but they were far apart in age and Adelaide had little time to spend with her young niece. Lora, who had a strong sense of justice, occasionally intervened and took Elsie's side when she was unfairly accused. But none of the Dinsmores seemed to really care for her, and Elsie was often lonely and sad. Her grandfather, Horace Dinsmore, Sr., treated her with complete neglect and usually spoke of her as "old Grayson's grandchild." Mrs. Dinsmore genuinely disliked her, as the child of the stepson for whom she had no fondness and as a future rival of her own daughters. The younger children, following the example of their parents, usually neglected Elsie and sometimes mistreated her. Miss Day, knowing that there was no danger her employers might object, vented on Elsie the spite that she dared not show her other pupils. Again and again, Elsie was made to give up her playthings to Enna, and sometimes to Arthur and Walter. This treatment often caused Elsie to struggle with her temper; had she possessed less of a meek and gentle spirit, her life might have been wretched indeed."

From Elsie's Endless Wait

Aside from her nursemaid Chloe, Elsie was the only Christian at the plantation. Because of this she was often made fun of and treated poorly for doing what was right. This also caused her to feel very lonely. Throughout her story, Elsie, however troubled she may have felt, continues to lean on God when she is feeling lonely.

God promises us that He will take care of the lonely in Psalm 68:8, when he says, "God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." If you, for whatever reason, are feeling lonely, don't get discouraged. Here are some helpful hints in dealing with loneliness.

My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. -Psalm 25:15-17

 

1) Trust in the Lord!

It may sound simple, but if you believe that He made you and He knows you, as Psalm 139: 1-4; 13-14 says,

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well,"

Then trust that He knows you and knows exactly what you need! He understands that we need certain relationships, and He won't forget about us.

2) Pray!

Prayer is simply talking to God. Philippians 4:6 says, "Never worry about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, while giving thanks, present your requests to God."

So talk to God, tell Him how you are feeling and express yourself to Him. Continually remember to place all of your needs before Him. Along with this, remember to give thanks for what you do have. Appreciate and value the friendships and relationships that He already has given you. Don't take them for granted. Elsie had a special friend, Rose Allison, who stayed at Roselands for a short time. She read the Bible and had talks with Elsie everyday. God understood that Elsie needed a friend, and He gave her one.

"Rose sat down and put Elsie on her knee. Like old friends, they talked of the joys and challenges of Christian living and of the "race," as Paul the Apostle called it, that they were running, and the "prize" they hoped to gain. They felt like pilgrims on the same path, and it was pleasant to walk together for a while." -Elsie's Endless Wait

3) Receive and Embrace God's Perfect Friendship.

Understand that God is a true friend who loves you for who you are and who promises to protect you.. He knows everything you do, including all of your faults, and yet He is still there for you. That is better than any other friend you might have from school or church. Like a loving father He will guide you and take care of you. So remember,

Trust that the Lord knows you and what's best for you.

Understand that God is a true friend.

Pray! Express your feelings to God and tell Him what you need.

And finally, take comfort in the knowledge that other people have felt loneliness at some time in their lives. You are not alone in your struggle. With the Lord on your side, you will get through this!