On May 1st, 2018, global health service company, Cigna, released the results of a national survey exploring the impact of loneliness in America.
The survey of more than 20,000 U.S. adults ages 18 years and older revealed the following:
The rise of technology has delivered to us a world in which we need not be out of contact with one another for more than a fraction of a second, but in this world of instant communication Americans are suffering from unprecedented loneliness and it is making many of us emotionally, mentally and even physically ill. In fact, those who suffer from chronic loneliness are 50% more likely to die from almost any other health issue than those who do not suffer from loneliness.
Healthcare professionals across the nation have been describing loneliness as a healthcare crisis for well over a decade, since there are now more Americans suffering from chronic loneliness than those who struggle with many other health care concerns including obesity and diabetes.
Over 40% of Americans will at some point in their lives struggle with a chronic form of loneliness and research suggests that the negative impact on these individual’s health is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Fascinating…but, I would also suggest that the problem of loneliness is one of the greatest health crises facing our society today because the solution is one of the most profound. According to the Surgeon General, the research all points to one solution:
… Love.
“Love is, in fact, the oldest medicine that we have.”
-Vivek Murthy, 19th Surgeon General of the United States
In 1 John 4:7-8, we find the following words:
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
No matter what else could be said about what it means to love one another, I fully agree with the following statement by the late, great Fred Rogers said,
“listening is where love begins, listening to ourselves and to our Neighbors.
Take the time to purposefully and prayerfully begin being more present to those around you. Love by listening. Allow yourself to experience more undistracted time as you interact with others.
It could be your spouse, a parent or child, a friend, neighbor or coworker. I guarantee if you listen well and don’t give any advice, you will begin to experience the type of connectedness and love that has the power to cure our society of one of its greatest ills.
Questions to Ask
3. How can I pray for you to see that happen?
Pray with them. In fact, invite them to pray first, even if they have never done it before, and then pray a prayer of blessing over them, out loud, reiterating what they said and prayed for.
Love by listening well and pray together to seal the deal. You never know, you might just be filled with the Holy Spirit, feel greatly encouraged and have your own burdens lifted in the process as well.
If you missed Sunday's message where I spoke more in depth about Loneliness, click here to watch the podcast.