I will never forget how I felt late one afternoon, sitting on the swing just across the driveway from my office at home. I was sitting there thinking of having done what I had dreaded for so long —put down my border collie, a constant friend and companion for thirteen years. I recall Jackie coming out of the house and asking me what was wrong. I told her I felt so lonely!

 The feelings of sadness and loneliness can be overwhelming at times. The emotional experience of homesickness or loneliness has to be one of the addest feelings in life. Of course, losing a pet doesn't compare to the loss of a spouse, parent, child, or friend. Oh how wonderful it would be to be able to once again pick up the phone to talk, or go by and visit, with my parents. In fact, there are so many friends, family and brethren who have passed on that I would love to be able to hug and tell how much I miss them.

Loneliness is just a part of life. Everyone experiences it from time to time. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you. It is simply a feeling in which people experience a strong sense of emptiness and solitude. Someone has said that language has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone; and it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone.

During the times when Christians experience loneliness, for whatever reason, it is always good to remember the comforting words of our Lord: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" Hebrews. 13:5. One of the best remedies for loneliness is to be worshipping with the people of God. Not only is that, in and of itself a blessing, but again to have the Lord's assurance: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them" Matthew. 18:20. Truly, what a blessing it is to know that spiritually our Lord is always with us. The Psalmist said, "If I ascend into heaven, You are there, If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me" Psalm. 139:8-10.

So at this point in my life, my parents, and even my favourite dog, have all left me by means of death. And what about the time when I will have to say goodbye to all my friends, brethren and loved ones on this earth? Again, the Lord assures me that He will be there with me to take me over to the other side. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" Psalm. 23:4.

Someone has said, "pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for." And the answer to that would be the Lord. If you are not a Christian, why not become one by obeying the gospel, and then enjoy all the promises of God, especially the blessings He provides during those difficult times of loneliness.

Now consider this, while loneliness is a part of this life for the righteous, it will be forever gone in the next life—Heaven. There will be no more sorrow, pain, tears or death Rev. 21:1-4. If we are righteous and faithful, we will be reunited with all the righteous of all the ages to be with God and His angels for all eternity. He has promised, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life" Rev. 2:10. When David's young son died, he said I cannot bring him back, but "I shall go to Him" 2 Samuel 12:23. What words of comfort!