Family[God’s Antidote To Loneliness]
4th December 2024
God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. [Psalms 68:6 NLT]
Japan is one of the most advanced and developed countries in the world. However, amidst their wealth and comfort there’s one thing the country battles with: loneliness. According to a report in the Guardian this year, about 38% of all households are single-person households and this has created a serious problem in the country. According to BBC, almost 40,000 people died alone in their homes in the first half of 2024 and some were not discovered for days or even a month. Unfortunately, this alarming phenomenon is so common in Japan that it is officially described as Kodokushi and one common factor that all Kodokushi victims share is a lack of family.
For some Kodokushi victims, their children moved out to start their own family and when their spouse died, they found themselves all alone. For others, they never had any children so with the death of their spouse came an end to family as they knew it. In a society where loneliness or reclusion is a norm, family is a precious gem and company is priceless. In fact, this is a country where robotic pets are developed to help combat loneliness and people pay to rent friends — all because they lack the gift of family.
God knew from the beginning that it’s not good for man to be alone, so He made family. Loneliness leads to all sorts of problems like laziness, depression, and even suicide.
God’s antidote to loneliness is family. Families are made to provide companionship, social connection and a sense of belonging. Occasional family squabbles are no reason to give up on the community God put you in. Detachment or estrangement is not the solution. Rather, communication and prayer is the key.
If family were not important to God, He wouldn’t have created a Father-child relationship with us. The fact that God wants us in His family, and continues to grow this family, is more than enough proof that even in our spiritual lives, God does not want us to be alone. Perhaps you’ve been feeling lonely recently and you’re looking for a way out. Pick up the phone and call a family member just to talk. Or visit a family member you haven’t seen in a long while just to spend time with them. Having people around doesn’t take away loneliness. True relationship does — and that’s why God gave us family.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for the precious gift of family. I appreciate the people You gave me so I never have to feel lonely on earth, and the heavenly family You have adopted me into so I am never alone. I pray that You help me to be a source of companionship, connection and belonging to others in Jesus name, Amen.
Further Reading: Genesis 2:18–25
