This Covid-19 lockdown has been, for some of us, a forced solitude that can either result in an opportunity for unique enrichment, or painful loneliness, depending on our heart’s response.
Paul Tillich poignantly said: “Language has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone.
But it has also created the word ‘solitude’ to describe the glory of being alone.”
Here are some practices that can help ensure that solitude during this lockdown period can prove to be a blessing rather than a painful experience:
· Use this time to relax and enrich your family. Many friends have expressed their joy of being able to spend quality time with their spouse and children, instead of rushing about frenetically driven by life’s “rat race”.
· We can be thankful for modern technology that we are able to use to communicate with friends and family. During this lockdown my wife has made a point of reaching out to over 50 lonely friends with whom we had lost contact. This has led to the renewing of past cherished friendships.
“We can all fight against loneliness by engaging in random acts of kindness.” – Gail Moneyman.
· Keep love active in your heart and mind. Having no one to love can be the ultimate reason for loneliness. God knows this, and this is why He advises us to: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and love your neighbour as yourself.” Mark 12:30-31.
“Feeling lonely can be God’s way of saying He wants to spend quality time with you.” – Criss Jami.
· Solitude can result in enormous benefits, when viewed as an opportunity for growth, or an inspiration to innovate and be creative. For example, the Apostle Paul spent more than two years in his “lockdown”, using this time to creatively write his Prison Letters to the churches. Now part of the New Testament, they are a source of God-given instruction for millions of Christian believers. The reality is that apart from his lockdown, he might never have written these letters that have been such an enriching Christian instruction.
· Write down some of your happy and challenging experiences.
“Writing can be an antidote to loneliness.” – Steven Berkhoff.
“Always stay within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you, … in this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.” Jude 21.
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