(This is an especially poignant post and I experienced this the day the previous post was published, despite having writing this several weeks prior.)
BYU published a report of a study several professors did regarding the effect of loneliness on longevity.
The results of the study were quite startling, but telling in my opinion. The story is linked here.
Loneliness has similar risk factors for reduced longevity as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and alcoholism and has more of an impact on reduced longevity than obesity.
That’s serious stuff. This discovery makes me shudder at what I’ve endured from July 2014-March 2015. I was mostly alone during that time, and if I wasn’t alone I was socially isolated (similar risk factors as loneliness).
Much of the depression I went through was due to these things. I was on my own. Me and Jesus against all the world. Although I didn’t always look up to see him there.
For years I had someone there for me. For years I had a core of friends I could confide in–friends who helped me maintain equilibrium and avoid the pitfalls of loneliness.
But for nearly a year, I’ve felt alone. No one to turn to except in prayer. I’m supposed to believe that is sufficient. God is enough. And for the most part that’s true. It wasn’t until I realized He worked through people around me that I needed to make changes that wouldn’t perpetuate my loneliness.
I still feel lonely often, but that is changing, and I can combat that. I need help, and I need angels around me to assist me, but I don’t have to choose to be alone.