Loneliness
“Loneliness Poses Risks as Deadly as Smoking: Surgeon General”
The above title and link are to an article I read yesterday (May 2, 2023). Check out the article and the screenshot below:
“Widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic.”
“We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It’s like hunger or thirst. It’s a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing,” Murthy told The Associated Press in an interview. “Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that’s not right. That’s why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing.”
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, published an 81-page report highlighting the concern about loneliness and gave “six pillars” to combat or “mend” our social fabric. You can read the six here.
At this point, you may be thinking, “So what, Bobby?” “Is this even relevant to me?”
YES! (Sorry, I’m not yelling. There is just an urgency I feel today)
As pastors and ministry leaders, we are not immune to loneliness. Our families, church members, and communities are all facing isolation which then leads to daily exhaustion. And what’s more, the Surgeon General (no disrespect) missed a step or pillar that I believe will absolutely reconstruct our society;
Step/Pillar #7 (by Bobby Contreras) - Strengthen, enact, mobilize, reform, deepen, and cultivate the body of Christ to devote themselves to God and one another.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22–24 )
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
Something remarkable happens when we, by God’s Grace, devote ourselves to pursuing God and others. God, draw us back to you and lead us to be near to those you placed around us today!
One last thing, this line really struck my heart; “And you can feel lonely even if you have a lot of people around you, because loneliness is about the quality of your connections.”
Friends, as believers, as the church, we must press in and operate authentically and faithfully, ensuring that all our relationships here on earth are “quality connections.” Peace and love, TWP family!