Loneliness is also detrimental to self-image. Lonely people might think, What’s wrong with me? Why do people keep shutting me out? There must be something wrong with the way I look, or dress, or what I say. To prevent further pain, the lonely person may withdraw from people, hurting people’s feelings in the process. Loneliness can create all kinds of problems. You may be thinking, Pastor, I’m the person who feels terribly lonely. You’ve been describing me. Friend, I want to tell you that there is a way to escape feeling so lonely. Since the thought patterns that make us feel friendless don’t develop overnight, the solution to loneliness is not immediate. But, here are some steps to get you started:
AUNT MINNIE
She has been there for the whole family, go and visit her, send her a card or letter
SENIORS
Senior Services
With well over 100,000 seniors in the Fourth Congressional District, the health, safety and quality of life of these individuals are issues of great importance. During my tenure in Congress, much work has been completed to ensure that all eligible seniors are covered under Medicare’s prescription drug benefit and that seniors’ healthcare, access to home care, social and nutritional programs are the best that we can offer.
May 15th marked the end of open enrollment for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. This plan will help lower the costs of prescription drugs for our seniors, making sure that they have access to the medications that they need. Over 77% of the eligible seniors in our district are now receiving coverage – this number is 4% above the expected enrollment. I am extremely proud of the work that community pharmacists, doctors and caregivers have done to make sure that our seniors are enrolled in this important plan.
Last fall I hosted five Medicare information sessions in five different locations across the district that were enormously successful. Those events offered information on the Medicare prescription drug benefit to seniors prior to the enrollment period that began November 15th of last year. We brought in experts from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Kentucky Social Security Office and the Kentucky Office of Insurance to answer questions for those in attendance. My staff is available for anyone seeking more information about the Medicare prescription drug benefit or to assist those that are having difficulty with the program.
Recently, the Social Security Administration began sending out applications to help enroll low-income beneficiaries who are not currently enrolled. This program is an attempt to educate and enroll those who would potentially benefit the most financially from the program. Open enrollment begins again in November. I encourage all seniors who have not yet registered to talk to their pharmacist or their doctors or to contact my office to get more information.
Additionally, we are working hard in Congress to ensure that programs affecting our seniors are safe, effective and accessible. Recently, the House passed the Seniors Independence Act of 2006. This bill will help strengthen seniors programs that provide transportation, health and social services as well as nutritional programs such as “Meals on Wheels.â€
The Seniors Independence Act will establish an Aging and Disabilities Resource Center in every state that will help with local, state and federal government coordination of services. This center will be a gateway for seniors who need assistance finding in-home and assisted living care as well as an educational resource for nutrition and safety information. The Seniors Independence Act will also help encourage community-based activities and services so that seniors can maintain their quality of life and continue living on their own.
Think about that for a moment. God had just created the world. Everything was perfect: creatures of every kind swam in the ocean, tame animals roamed the earth,the weather was always beautiful, and Adam had unending, unhindered, undefiled fellowship with almighty God. Yet, the Father still said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Our Creator knows that loneliness is not good.
I believe this statement tells us one simple thing: we need each other. We usually think Genesis 2:18 refers to a man’s need for a wife, but it’s really a comment on our need for fellowship. It is not good for man or woman to be isolated. It is not good for people to be lonely. Our feelings of loneliness are a sign that we need to seek out God and others, although loneliness is not cured by simply being
As you know, there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. A person can be married and lonely, or in a crowd and lonely. Think about the people who work with you, go to church with you, or live next door to you. What are they like? Some of them are like little islands all to themselves. They go about their daily activities, and seem to function normally, but on the inside they are crying out for someone to love them. Genesis 2:18 demonstrates what most of us can sense at the core of our beings: God never intended us to go through life independently. Of course, we certainly need time alone, to meditate, and pray, following Christ’s example. (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12) However, loneliness is the feeling of painful disconnection from intimacy with others. A lonely person believes that no one cares, that no one is listening.
As you know, there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. A person can be married and lonely, or in a crowd and lonely. Think about the people who work with you, go to church with you, or live next door to you. What are they like? Some of them are like little islands all to themselves. They go about their daily active ivies, and seem to function normally, but on the inside they are crying out for someone to love them. Genesis 2:18 demonstrates what most of us can sense at the core of our beings: God never intended us to go through life independently. Of course, we certainly need time alone, to meditate, and pray, following Christ’s example. (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12) However, loneliness is the feeling of painful disconnection from intimacy with others. A lonely person believes that no one cares, that no one is listening.
Thousands of years have passed since God declared, “It is not good for man to be alone.” And yet, that statement is as true now as it was at the beginning of time. Do we still need each other? Absolutely. No matter how perfect our fellowship with the Lord, if we don’t have meaningful connections with other people, we will feel some degree of loneliness.
What are some of the situations that leave people feeling disconnected from others? First, the death of a loved one causes loneliness. I have seen it time and time again—the separation caused by the loss of a spouse or a close family member creates great loneliness. It’s hard enough when the loved one was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we realize that person will spend eternity with Him. But, of course, our loved ones don’t always know the Lord, and the separation is that much more painful. Death can leave a terrible emptiness in its wake
Second, divorce leaves people feeling lonely. After the togetherness of marriage, the separation of divorcefeels overwhelming. Imagine a woman whose husband has just left her. Sure, the kids are still around, but the house is much too empty. Where will she find the companionship and support she once enjoyed? You see, one of the hardest adjustments after a divorce is the intense loneliness that a person faces.
Third, separation can contribute to loneliness. Have you ever had to send a son or daughter away from home, to camp, or military service or the mission field? Has a friend ever moved away, pursuing an opportunity across town or in another city? Or, maybe you have been the one to move. If so, you know that having to say good-bye, even temporarily, is tough. Whether short or long term, separation from people we love can cause loneliness
When do people feel lonely? What prompts a person to feel lonely? A person feels loneliest when she wants to share her thoughts and emotions with another person. For example, long ago I went by myself to Alaska to help rebuild a town after a flood. The scenery was stunning. When I tried to share my excitement over the beauty of the place, the locals would just say, “Yep.” They weren’t impressed at all! I took photo after photo, but nothing could take the place of a companion to enjoy the beauty with me. I longed to share the tremendous view with someone, and I felt terribly lonely when I couldn’t.
I’ve also found that people also feel lonely when they reach a goal, and have no one to rejoice with them; suffer from discouragement, and have no one to encourage them; or make an important decision, and no one is available to give advice. We were created to need each other, and when we are alone at critical times in our lives, we will feel lonely.
What are the moral consequences of loneliness? Believe it or not, loneliness can influence our morality. When people are trying to fill the void caused by loneliness, they may make bad moral choices. To avoid loneliness, a woman might lower her standards and have a sexual relationship outside of marriage. A young person might misbehave in school, start stealing, or begin using drugs because he simply wants to know that someone cares. Adults might travel to the mall for a shopping spree they can’t afford, or waste their life away, surfing the internet.
Loneliness is also detrimental to self-image. Lonely people might think, What’s wrong with me? Why do people keep shutting me out? There must be something wrong with the way I look, or dress, or what I say. To prevent further pain, the lonely person may withdraw from people, hurting people’s feelings in the process. Loneliness can create all kinds of problems.
What are the moral consequences of loneliness? Believe it or not, loneliness can influence our morality. When people are trying to fill the void caused by loneliness, they may make bad moral choices. To avoid loneliness, a woman might lower her standards and have a sexual relationship outside of marriage. A young person might misbehave in school, start stealing, or begin using drugs because he simply wants to know that someone cares. Adults might travel to the mall for a shopping spree they can’t afford, or waste their life away, surfing the internet. THE 3 MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR OUR FOUNDATION. A. THOMAS/CEO/OWNER
Loneliness is also detrimental to self-image. Lonely people might think, What’s wrong with me? Why do people keep shutting me out? There must be something wrong with the way I look, or dress, or what I say. To prevent further pain, the lonely person may withdraw from people, hurting people’s feelings in the process. Loneliness can create all kinds of problems.
You may be thinking, Pastor, I’m the person who feels terribly lonely. You’ve been describing me. Friend, I want to tell you that there is a way to escape feeling so lonely. Since the thought patterns that make us feel friendless don’t develop overnight, the solution to loneliness is not immediate. But, here are some steps to get you started:
1. Realize that Christ went through the ultimate loneliness so that you would never have to experience it. Think about this: Jesus went to the cross for you and me. On that day, most of his disciples deserted him, the Roman soldiers tortured him, and the people mocked him. All of that would have been hard enough, but to make things worse, he was also abandoned by the Father. Remember, one of the last things He said was, “‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” (Matthew 27:46). No one who ever lived has felt that level of loneliness.
So, when you feel desperately alone, Christ understands. He experienced every emotion we can face: “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Because Jesus knows how loneliness feels, He can comfort us. And, because He suffered on the cross and rose from the dead, we never have to be lonely—He is always with u
2. Recall the promises of God. You may suffer loneliness, but it is absolutely impossible for you to actually be alone. When loneliness r ises within you, choose to live according to the truth of the Word, not your feelings. Take a look at the following Scriptures:
• John 14:16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” If you completed the Faith Foundations courses, you’ll recall learning that the Helper is the Holy Spirit, who lives inside you and me.
• Psalm 139:7 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” My friend, youcouldn’t get away from God even if you wanted!
• Hebrews 12:5 “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’ ” We have the assurance of the Lord’s constant companionship.
3. Reveal yourself. Will the other person be able to identify with you? Maybe not, but open your heart anyway. There is something about being vulnerable with someone that drives away loneliness, even if the other person doesn’t fully understand.
4. Build a relationship. After sharing your heart a few times, go a step further and reach out a hand of friendship. Is this a risk? Certainly. Is it worth the risk? Absolutely. Some of the happiest people I know are elderly people who have lived alone for many, many years. But, they have learned how to develop relationships—with the cashier at the grocery store, at the hair salon, or at the church.
You might be tempted to think, Well, that’s great for them, but who am I? Who would want to be friends with me? Wait a minute. Remember the lesson on self-image? You are of great worth in God’s eyes. He chose to save you, inhabit you, dwell with you, and empower you. Because God sees you as valuable, you can risktaking some steps to develop meaningful relationships with other people.
5. Refocus on others. Everyone has something to give, even if it is nothing more than a smile or a compliment. Find someone in need, and serve him or her! I believe that if you will reach out and meet a neighbor’s needs, God will begin to drive out your own loneliness
You may not feel lonely right now. Here’s my challenge to you: reach out to someone who is lonely. Maybe you are married and have children; you probably take for granted all the activity around your home. In fact, you might long for a little peace and quiet! However, there are people in your church and community who would love to be a part of your home life. Or, you may be single, yet surrounded by family and friends. Why don’t you ask God to make you sensitive to lonely people? Invite them to lunch with you after church or have them over to your home. Or, when you are out in the community, take some time to chat with the sales clerk, the cleaner, and the waiter or waitress. God values people, and so should we.
As we have learned in this lesson, loneliness does not have to be a problem for God’s people. It is simply a warning sign that we need to seek fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and other people. What should we do when we feel lonely? Connect with our Creator and those around us and loneliness will begin to disappear.
Whether you are feeling lonely right now or not, God desires you to help meet the needs of those around you. Spend a few minutes in prayer, asking Him to place someone on your heart, along with an idea of how you can befriend or help them. Write it down here and on your calendar, then write a prayer committing your outreach to the Lord.
Father, every single person faces loneliness at times. But I thank you that, as believers in Jesus Christ, as children of God, as the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are never alone. Help us to walk in the awareness of Your presence, dear Lord. When the devil tries to tell us that no one cares, I pray that You would remind us that Your Son suffered the ultimate loneliness so that we would never have to be lonely. We thank you for that in Jesus’ name, Amen.
John 14:27
27
)Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you
Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Loneliness is also detrimental to self-image. Lonely people might think, What’s wrong with me? Why do people keep shutting me out? There must be something wrong with the way I look, or dress, or what I say. To prevent further pain, the lonely person may withdraw from people, hurting people’s feelings in the process. Loneliness can create all kinds of problems. You may be thinking, Pastor, I’m the person who feels terribly lonely. You’ve been describing me. Friend, I want to tell you that there is a way to escape feeling so lonely. Since the thought patterns that make us feel friendless don’t develop overnight, the solution to loneliness is not immediate. But, here are some steps to get you started: 
AUNT MINNIE
SENIORS
