2 Timothy 4:16, 17 - Antidote for Loneliness.
2 Timothy 4:16, 17 (NLT) The first time I
was brought before the judge, no one came with
me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted
against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave
me strength so that I might preach the Good
News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to
hear. And he rescued me from certain death.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Empathy Is an Antidote to Loneliness
Eventually, everyone experiences
loneliness.
Loneliness isnt prevented or fixed by
beauty, wealth, fame, or success. Even marriage
doesnt protect you against loneliness. Many people
marry because theyre lonely and divorce a few
years later for the same reason.
The apostle Pauls life goal - even
toward the very end when he was dying alone - was
for other people know about Jesus. In 2 Timothy
he talks about being brought alone before a
judge. All his friends had abandoned him. But he
kept his eyes focused on the spiritual needs of
the people around him: But the Lord stood
with me and gave me strength so that I might
preach the Good News in its entirety for all the
Gentiles to hear (2 Timothy 4:16-17 NLT).
He focused on others because he knew
everyone needed to hear about Gods love. He could
have focused on his own problems, but instead he
looked at what he could do to help others. It kept
him from being lonely, even when he was alone.
When youre lonely, dont have a pity
party. Stop saying, Im alone. Nobody loves
me; nobody even likes me. When you do that,
youre just focusing on yourself.
Instead, turn your focus outward and
build bridges to others. Youll find there are a
lot of lonely people who are also looking for
connection.
How can you build bridges of connection?
One way is by empathizing with other peoples
needs. And remember to ask God to help you connect
with others. Pray something like this: Father,
help me be a friend to people who need a
friend.
Whats causing loneliness in your life?
Extreme seasons of transition, separation,
rejection, or opposition can lead to devastating
feelings of loneliness. For instance, much of the
world experienced loneliness during the COVID-19
pandemic.
But dont let difficult times keep you
from reaching out to people. Look beyond your own
problems and find creative ways to connect with
others. Empathy is the antidote to loneliness.
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
The Need for Friendship
Independence is a prized attribute in our
culture, but biblically, it isn't a worthy
aspiration. Nowhere in Scripture will you find the
erroneous quote, "God helps those who help
themselves." The very fact that the Lord formed the
church--a community of believers--should tell us that
He did not create people for self-sufficiency
or isolation.
When we place faith in Jesus Christ, the
Holy Spirit indwells us so we can have a
fulfilling relationship with the Lord and satisfying
friendships with one another. In God's design, a close,
committed biblical friendship between two believers
serves to build both toward Christlikeness. Look at
any of the saints in Scripture, and you will
find evidence of reliance upon a close friend or
confidante for support. Paul, in particular, spoke
freely and often of his dependence upon dear
companions and encouraged others to form intimate
partnerships as well (2 Tim. 2:22).
It's interesting to me that our modern
culture seems to be headed in the opposite
direction. The farther our nation drifts from God, the
more pervasive our self-sufficient attitude
becomes. Neighbors treat each other with suspicion
instead of congeniality, and that mindset has
invaded the church as well. We're hesitant to give
to others, which in turn makes us reluctant to
receive.
Scripture tells us to love one another,
bear our brothers' burdens, and confess our sins
to fellow believers (John 13:34 ; Gal. 6:2;
James 5:16). In other words, we're to give
ourselves away to others and receive from them in
return. That's how church members can stimulate one
another to Christlikeness. [In Touch Daily
Devotional by Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org]
Dont Let Your Loneliness Lead to
Bitterness
Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:16, The first
time I was brought before the judge, no one came
with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be
counted against them (NLT).
Paul, one of the greatest followers of
Jesus ever, was on trial in Rome, and not one
person stepped forward to defend him. Not one! He
was absolutely by himself. Nobody stepped
forward to say, This is a good guy. Hes
alright.
Yet Paul didnt say, Those
jerks"after all Ive done for them all these years!
Instead, he said, May it not be counted against
them. In other words, he was not going to let
himself become bitter. Because bitterness always
makes loneliness worse.
This is just one of the ways Paul teaches
us how to live when we are going through a
season of loneliness. When you feel lonely, you
need to minimize your hurt. You need to play it
down and pray it up. Dont rehearse it over and
over in your mind. If you do, it just gets bigger
and bigger and out of control.
Refuse to become resentful, because
bitterness will eat you up.
Bitterness and loneliness go together
because they become a cycle. You become lonely. Then
you start feeling bad about it and have a pity
party. Then you become bitter. Your bitterness
makes you even lonelier, which makes you more
bitter. Soon, youre a hardhearted, depressed
person that nobody can get close to.
Nobody wants to be around a bitter
person. Nobody wants to be around a cynic. Nobody
wants to be around a person who is constantly
angry.
Bitterness will only perpetuate your
loneliness. Thats why, when you go through a season
of loneliness, you should minimize the hurt.
Dont build a wall around your life. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
Empathy Is an Antidote to Loneliness
[repeated from above for emphasis]
Eventually, everyone experiences
loneliness.
Loneliness isnt prevented or fixed by
beauty, wealth, fame, or success. Even marriage
doesnt protect you against loneliness. Many people
marry because theyre lonely and divorce a few
years later for the same reason.
The apostle Pauls life goal - even
toward the very end when he was dying alone - was
for other people know about Jesus. In 2 Timothy
he talks about being brought alone before a
judge. All his friends had abandoned him. But he
kept his eyes focused on the spiritual needs of
the people around him: But the Lord stood
with me and gave me strength so that I might
preach the Good News in its entirety for all the
Gentiles to hear (2 Timothy 4:16-17 NLT).
He focused on others because he knew
everyone needed to hear about Gods love. He could
have focused on his own problems, but instead he
looked at what he could do to help others. It kept
him from being lonely, even when he was alone.
When youre lonely, dont have a pity
party. Stop saying, Im alone. Nobody loves
me; nobody even likes me. When you do that,
youre just focusing on yourself.
Instead, turn your focus outward and
build bridges to others. Youll find there are a
lot of lonely people who are also looking for
connection.
How can you build bridges of connection?
One way is by empathizing with other peoples
needs. And remember to ask God to help you connect
with others. Pray something like this: Father,
help me be a friend to people who need a
friend.
Whats causing loneliness in your life?
Extreme seasons of transition, separation,
rejection, or opposition can lead to devastating
feelings of loneliness. For instance, much of the
world experienced loneliness during the COVID-19
pandemic.
But dont let difficult times keep you
from reaching out to people. Look beyond your own
problems and find creative ways to connect with
others. Empathy is the antidote to loneliness.
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
ONE LINER
God always gives us the strength to do what
he has commanded. This strength may not be
evident, however, until we step out in faith and
actually begin doing the task. [Life Application SB]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Matthew 25:31-46 - The Parable of The Sheep
and Goats; The Final Judgment.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210524-1002.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
[BEGINS October 15, 2021]
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
