The Loneliness of Stubbornness and Sorrow

Read Isaiah 40:25-31.

There are two additional types of loneliness to consider that develop through pride and loss.

The loneliness of stubbornness or pride is a self-inflicted wound. In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells the story of a man who had two sons. The younger one was lost in sin but repented and returned home to his father. While everyone was joining in the celebration of his return, the older brother heard about the party going on, and he was livid! He refused to enter the house. He was determined to ruin the party, wallowing in his self-righteousness, unforgiveness, ingratitude, and stubbornness.

Though the older brother had stayed home physically, his heart was far away, isolated in his stubbornness. In the same way, when we indulge in self-righteousness, we choose loneliness, keeping ourselves from fellowship with our heavenly Father and the family of believers.

So, what can you do if you find yourself behaving like the older brother in the parable? Above all, you must recognize your own need for grace and run to Jesus. His sacrifice has perfectly atoned for your every sin. So confess to the Lord and then enter into the Father’s feast that He has prepared for you and all repentant sinners.

As isolating as pride can be, the unique loneliness of grief or loss can only be fully understood by those who have experienced it. The death of Lazarus brought this type of loneliness to his sisters, Mary and Martha, and to his good friend, Jesus. All three were experiencing a special kind of loneliness. But don’t miss the fact that Jesus wept (see John 11:35). Weeping is one of the ways we heal on the inside.

To endure this kind of crushing loneliness, we must remember God’s incredible love for us. The pain of loss doesn’t mean that God is absent or that His love has lessened in any way. The cross of Christ is the clearest indication that suffering and God’s love can coexist. Indeed, through Jesus’ sacrifice, God is with us in the nearest way in our sorrow: His Holy Spirit dwells in us, encouraging and comforting us. What is more, our sorrows are light and momentary in the light of His coming glory (see 2 Corinthians 4:17). Even in our pain, His will is best for us—even when we cannot fathom His purposes in it. This process deepens our faith, and as we trust the Lord, He is glorified in us. In all these ways, Jesus is the balm for our deepest of aches—the loneliness of grief.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You are near in my grief and that You are at work to restore me when I become puffed up. May Your Gospel of grace always bring me comfort in sorrow and humble me when I am stubborn. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.