The Worst Disease of our Time
A commentary by Rex Sexton
United Church of God pastor, Olympia and Tacoma, Washington
Mother Teresa saw people die from virtually every affliction known in
the third world. In her hospitals she treated people suffering from malaria,
leprosy, cancer, elephantiasis and a host of other terrible maladies.
Before she died, Mother Teresa was asked, "What is the worst disease
you have seen?"
Her response to the question was, "Of all the diseases I have known,
loneliness is the worst."
In her book My Life for the Poor, she states: "I have
come to realize more and more that the greatest disease and the greatest
suffering is to be unwanted, unloved, uncared for, to be shunned by everybody,
to be just nobody to no one."
One of the most common results of our fast-paced, morals-free society
is lonely people. Throwaways. Those who live alone with no one to care
for or about them. Their families are either gone, uninterested or too
busy. Every day is a repeat of coming home to an empty home or apartment
and spending the evening in silence, except perhaps for the television.
Like any disease, loneliness can strike quickly and at any stage in
life. It afflicts the rich and the poor, the young and the old. When
it begins it seems endless.
In our fast-paced society where people are striving to acquire more
things, they often find themselves with fewer meaningful relationships.
A recent survey from the University of Chicago reveals some startling
statistics about just how lonely today's urban adults can expect to be.
The survey, published in January, gave the results of several years
of research and interviews of more than 2,100 Chicago area residents.
According to the findings, the average urban dweller reaching adulthood
can expect to spend 18.5 years of his or her life living with a spouse,
4.3 years living with someone they are not married to and the rest of
his or her lifetime living alone.
Reasons given include higher divorce rates and growing reluctance of
young adults to make a commitment to marriage. Researchers also found
that cohabitation-living together-resulted in more jealousy and physical
violence than found among married couples.
This is astounding when you think about it. Out of an average adult
life of approximately 57 years (figuring that an average life span in
the United States is close to 78 years currently), 39 of those will be
spent lonely! This is an incredible sea change in the very fabric of
our society-one that is already having terrible consequences.
So what can we do if we find ourselves alone-afflicted with what Mother
Teresa said was "the worst disease"?
First, we have to realize that our Creator understands and offers assistance.
Jesus Christ spent much of his time with His disciples who rarely communicated
on His level. When He became a man He shared the full range of our feelings
and emotions. While loneliness is not sin, it is part of our frailness
as humans and can lead to sin if we let it get the best of us.
Referring to Jesus, Hebrews 2:14 tells us, " Since the children
have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity . . ." Verses
17-18 continue: " For this reason he had to be made like his brothers
in every way . . . Because he himself suffered when he was
tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted " (New International
Version).
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest," He said (Matthew 11:28 ). These are some of the
most comforting words ever spoken. We are never truly lonely when we
can pray.
Second, we need to build and develop family relationships. When God
stated that "It is not good that man should be alone" (Genesis
2:18 ), He was also referring to the woman He was about to create. Our
very nature is to need others and to need our Creator.
The message of the feminist movement and modern entertainment that marriage
is unnecessary and, in fact, a burden that will prevent self-fulfillment,
is one of the most damaging lies ever told to a society. God says that
children, even large families, are a blessing from Him (Psalm 127:3).
The happiest senior citizens are often those who have raised many children
and grandchildren.
Finally, develop close relationships with those who share the same spiritual
values and sense of purpose in life. God says that He "sets the
lonely in families" (Psalm 68:6, NIV). The Bible is full of stories
of people who were closer than brothers because of their shared sense
of purpose and belief in God. This is one of the primary benefits of
assembling with a church family, which is something that we are commanded
to do regularly (Hebrews 10:25 ).
God did not intend for us to be lonely. His intention for us was that
each of us live a life filled with rewarding relationships-the source
of true happiness. He wants us to have loving and appreciative relationships
with our family members, encouraging and positive relationships with
friends of like mind, and an ever-deepening experience of learning from
and getting to know our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. |
