Shortly after God created Adam, he made a declaration. In the Book of Genesis 2:18, the Bible tells us, “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a help meet for him.” Adam and God had communed in the Garden, but God knew that human beings need other humans to relate effectively. The animals did not qualify to fill this void, so God created Eve to become the help meet. 

For a time, there was good communion between God, Adam and Eve. With this fellowship, Adam and Eve were neither alone nor lonely. Then sin came into their world. They rebelled against God by disobedience, and fellowship was broken. God separated himself from Adam and Eve, and a wedge was driven between husband and wife. Selfishness and interpersonal tension came into their relationship, and feelings of isolation and loneliness came into the world. 

Today, loneliness is a common problem and one of the most universal sources of human suffering. There are many social influences which increase our loneliness. We will look at three of them. The first one is technology. Efficiency and convenience demanded the increase of larger business, government and education. There is less time to develop deep, satisfying relationships. As technology became complex, it required specialized fields of study. This separated people into classes in society. Relationships became shallow and understanding decreased, which made loneliness more prevalent. 

The second one is transportation. Mobility increased with the inventions of automobiles and public transit systems. People were lured to a better life elsewhere, and better transportation made it possible to move. This tore up friendships, families and the core values of community. Now people avoid close relationships which would end in painful separations later. 

The third one is social media. The introduction of modern social media has changed our society. Like anything else, it has great benefits but also has a negative influence. The entertainment business provides content which seems to promote superficiality. Television, cell phones and movies interrupt interactions with neighbors and relatives. There are seldom direct human communications between people. This detachment from human relationship intensifies the potential for isolation and loneliness.

The Bible focuses on our need for communion with God and good relationships with other people. How can this be done? It is by being reconciled back to God that which occurred in the garden. Romans 5:10 says, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Loneliness is a void in the soul only God himself can fill.