Loneliness and Solitude
by Samantha Tongol-Verdaguer
To be honest, when I saw the topic for this weekend, I had to do a little research on loneliness and solitude. I really just thought they meant the same thing–“the state of being alone”. I discovered that there are nuances of meaning connected with those two words. “Loneliness” is the feeling of despair and isolation suffered when you move to another location, have no friends, live alone far from any past family or friends (Urban Dictionary). “Solitude”, on the other hand, is the quality or state of being alone or remote from society; seclusion (Merriam Webster Dictionary). While loneliness is characterized by a sense of isolation, solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely.
When I saw those two meanings my first thought was, “Have I ever really felt loneliness the way it is defined in the dictionary?” Come to think of it, yes, I have. I can remember feeling that way all the way from grade school to junior high to high school—that is, when I was at school. I do not recall feeling loneliness at home. Although I was an only child, I always had my home family supporting me and being there for me.
From what I can remember, during those formative years at school, before I became a follower of Christ, I did feel lonely at times. In the later years of grade school, when status and cliques began to be the reason for school for some people, I observed that a handful of people were lonely, including myself. Kids back then, and I bet things are similar now sometimes fell into that state of being alone and isolated from the “cool group." That is not a fun feeling that no one should have to go through.
As I matured into high school, my view of life changed from caring so much about my status with other kids to caring about my status with God. That was the best moment of my life, accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. From that moment, I gained a friend for life. I am never alone and don’t have to be lonely because God will never leave me or forsake me. In moments of solitude, away from the crowd and alone with my God, I experience a deepening relationship with the Lover of my soul. Like the song goes, ” I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God. He calls me friend! He can be your friend too! Actually, He is just waiting for you to ask Him!
I am a Friend of God! Phillips Craig & Dean Lyrics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcxKRsn-hGc
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