Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #10 — Lonely

Picture: Counsel #10 — Lonely CR 157.1

Loneliness can feel heavy — especially if you’ve never been in a relationship. That feeling of unwanted isolation creeps in when your phone is silent on a weekend night, or when your family drops one more not-so-subtle hint about when you’ll “find someone.” Meanwhile, social media becomes a loop of proposals and anniversaries, making you wonder if something’s wrong with you. CR 157.2

In reality, not all relationships are as happy as they seem. If you’re wanting a relationship, realize that settling for someone won’t work. Any relationship that pulls you away from your values, or makes you do things outside of God’s will for your life isn’t just risky - it’s spiritually costly. It’s true that the ache to be seen, chosen, and loved is real. God isn’t asking you to ignore it, but He is asking you to trust that He sees it too. The wrong relationship might soothe your loneliness for a moment, but it can derail your peace, your growth, and even your calling long-term. Even though waiting for the right person to come into your life is hard, God’s best for you will always be worth the wait.^[164] CR 157.3

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalms 27:14 NIV CR 157.4

“You can be happy in Him if you had not another friend in the wide world.” Ellen White in Our High Calling , p. 64 CR 157.5

Reflect: Have you lowered your standards out of fear of being alone? CR 157.6