THE LIE
“Nobody really cares about me.”
REFLECTION
Loneliness becomes dangerous when it hardens into isolation. Once that cycle starts, it’s self-reinforcing…the worse you feel, the more you withdraw, and the more you withdraw, the worse you feel.
I know this firsthand. As my addiction slowly took over my life, I pulled away from almost everyone around me. It ended up just being me, alone with my crazy thoughts… not a good place to be.
Facts
One in six people globally experience loneliness, and in the U.S., over half of adults report feeling isolated. The consequences are serious, as chronic isolation is linked to heart disease, dementia, depression, and an estimated 871,000 deaths every year.(1)
The more one becomes isolated, social skills fade, anxiety rises, and eventually even the desire for connection can disappear. I get really nervous when I hear about young people isolating themselves in their rooms, “living” a life of social media and gaming…is it really living?
The enemy uses isolation as a weapon against us.
If you’re feeling that pull toward withdrawal, I’d encourage you to pray and ask God to open your eyes to communities of people who will genuinely accept and care for you. They exist, even when it doesn’t feel that way.
For me, that community was Alcoholics Anonymous. It literally saved my life…imagine a group of former drunks, druggies, and isolationists helping each other stay alive and realizing our value…that is how God operates. 🙂
SOUL SEARCH
When do you feel most alone? Invite God specifically into that moment. Journal one way He has shown care for you recently, even if it seemed small.
What is a group or community of people you can join to help you get out of yourself?
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. — Psalm 139:17-18
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
(1) The WHO Commission on Social Connection report (released June 30, 2025).
