There’s a pain that rarely gets talked about in church.

It’s not addiction.
It’s not anger.
It’s not even doubt.

It’s loneliness.

Some of the loneliest people I know sit in crowded rooms every Sunday morning. They smile. They shake hands. But inside, they feel invisible.

The Silent Epidemic

Mother Teresa once said, “The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for.”

She called loneliness the leprosy of modern society.

And she was right. Study after study confirms it. Loneliness is rising in every age group. More people live alone than ever before. And in a world filled with likes, hearts, and emojis, genuine connection can still feel miles away.

Even people of deep faith aren’t immune. The apostle Paul wrote his final letter from a Roman prison with these heartbreaking words:

“Only Luke is with me… Do your best to come to me quickly.” —2 Timothy 4:11, 9

He was cold. He was isolated. And he was deeply human.

But Isn’t God Enough?

This is a question I sometimes hear: “Isn’t Jesus enough?”

Yes. And no.

In Genesis 2:18, God looks at a man who is in a perfect relationship with Him—and says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

Let that sink in.

Adam had God, and yet God said something was missing.

There is a God-shaped hole in the human heart—but there is also a human-shaped hole that even God in His design doesn’t intend to fill alone.

You were made for community.

How Loneliness Affects Us

John Ortberg put it bluntly: “People who are lonely are more likely to die young. In fact, it’s better to eat Twinkies with friends than to eat broccoli alone.”

Isolation is tied to:

Higher rates of depression

Lower immune response

Greater risk of heart disease

Even increased mortality

But the worst part? Loneliness doesn’t just kill the body—it starves the soul.

It whispers, “You don’t belong. No one sees you. No one cares.”

Slaying the Giant of Loneliness

So how do we slay this quiet, gnawing giant?

Be honest about it.
Loneliness thrives in silence. One of the bravest things you can do is admit, “I’m lonely.” Even David cried out in Psalm 142:

“No one is concerned for me… no one cares for my life.”

Reach out, even if it's awkward.
If you’re waiting for others to notice and invite you in, you may be waiting forever. Take a small risk. Start a conversation. Join a group. Sit with someone new.

Build spiritual friendships.
Not just casual acquaintances—but deep, honest, prayerful relationships where people actually know you. That doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s worth the effort.

Let God use your loneliness to draw you closer to Him.
Some of the deepest encounters with God come in the desert of loneliness. Let that ache push you into His arms.

Remember: you are not alone.
No matter what your feelings say. No matter what the enemy tells you.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18

This Is Just One of the Giants

Loneliness is a giant—but it’s not the only one. Fear, discouragement, guilt, temptation, anger, doubt, and others also try to take us down.

That’s why I created a Bible study called Slaying the Giants in Your Life—twelve weeks of in-depth, Scripture-rich lessons designed to help you conquer the enemies of your peace, your purpose, and your joy.

Each lesson includes Good Questions That Have Groups Talking—because, frankly, the antidote to loneliness is often found in life-giving conversation around God’s Word.

➡️ Get your copy of Slaying the Giants in Your Life today and invite a few friends to do it with you.