How can we support those feeling isolated, as Job did in Job 19:13? A Glimpse into Job’s Loneliness “ He has removed my brothers far from me; my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.” (Job 19:13) Job’s cry shows the ache of being abandoned just when support is most needed. His words set the stage for thinking carefully about how to stand with people who feel similarly sidelined today. Seeing Isolation in Our Communities • Grief after a loss • Chronic illness or disability • Relocation away from family • Social anxiety or depression • Cultural or language barriers When we recognize these settings, we can respond before the sense of loneliness deepens. Biblical Principles for Support • Empathy: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15) • Shared burden: “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) • Faithful friendship: “A friend who stays closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) • Active remembrance: “Remember those in prison … and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:1-3) • Comforted to comfort: God “comforts us … so that we can comfort those in any trouble.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Practical Ways to Come Alongside the Isolated • Show up consistently—drops of presence outweigh oceans of promises. • Listen without rushing to fix; sometimes silence is the loudest compassion. • Speak Scripture that anchors hope (Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 41:10) rather than clichés. • Offer tangible help—meals, rides, childcare, or tech assistance reduce daily stress. • Invite, invite, invite: gatherings, worship, game night—repetition tells them they matter. • Send short messages or handwritten notes that say, “You’re not forgotten.” • Pray with and for them, letting them hear their name brought before the Father. • Watch anniversaries of loss; reach out when others have moved on. The Ultimate Example—Christ with the Lonely • “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) • “God settles the lonely in families.” (Psalm 68:6) Jesus’ unbroken presence equips us to be present; the family God creates in the church becomes the place where isolation is answered with belonging. Putting It All Together Rooted in Job’s experience and the clear counsel of Scripture, we: 1. Notice those pushed to the margins. 2. Enter their world with empathy and practical care. 3. Sustain the effort, reflecting Christ’s enduring companionship. In doing so, we transform the cry of Job 19:13 into a testimony of Psalm 68:6, letting the isolated discover they are no longer alone. |
    |