There's an epidemic of loneliness which is causing all kinds of physical and mental illness. Generation Z (adults ages 18-22) and Millennials (adults ages 23-37) are lonelier and claim to be in worse health than older generations. In an article entitled How Your Church Can Respond to the Loneliness Epidemic, the former surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, is quoted as saying that loneliness causes “an insidious type of stress” that leads to chronic inflammation and an increased risk of heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Loneliness has the same effect on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
The most common expressions of loneliness I’ve heard over the years are:
These are painful cries that are causing painful lives. Loneliness is a big problem. Marriage is God's bigger solution. It’s no surprise that loneliness has grown as marriage rates have declined and marriage break-ups have increased.
Let's gaze and be amazed at God's solution of marriage – both to someone of the opposite sex, and also spiritual marriage to Christ (Eph. 5:22-33).
MARRIAGE IS FOR FRIENDSHIP
Marriage gives us a best friend,
But Christ is the best friend.
“A friend is great, but I need help in my daily life.”
MARRIAGE IS FOR HELP
Marriage provides a helper,
But Christ is a better helper.
“I appreciate the help, but I have a craving to live a shared life.”
MARRIAGE IS FOR SHARING
Marriage lets us share our lives,
But Christ lets us share our secrets.
“I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I need physical intimacy too.”
MARRIAGE IS FOR INTIMACY (25)
Marriage unites us physically,
But Christ unites us spiritually.
Could God have designed anything better than marriage between one man and one woman? Companionship instead of loneliness. Help instead of helplessness. Sharing instead of solitariness. Intimacy instead of distance.
Now of course, sin has entered since then. This has not only increased our need for marriage but also damaged marriage. Some never find someone to marry. Some end up in terrible marriages. Some marriages break up. Our response must not be to give up on marriage (or re-define it) but to seek spiritual marriage to Christ above all.
LIVING THE BIBLE
Find friendship, help, sharing, and intimacy in God's gift of marriage, and ultimately in God’s gift of marriage to Christ.
There's an epidemic of loneliness which is causing all kinds of physical and mental illness. Generation Z (adults ages 18-22) and Millennials (adults ages 23-37) are lonelier and claim to be in worse health than older generations. In an article entitled How Your Church Can Respond to the Loneliness Epidemic, the former surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, is quoted as saying that loneliness causes “an insidious type of stress” that leads to chronic inflammation and an increased risk of heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Loneliness has the same effect on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
The most common expressions of loneliness I’ve heard over the years are:
These are painful cries that are causing painful lives. Loneliness is a big problem. Marriage is God's bigger solution. It’s no surprise that loneliness has grown as marriage rates have declined and marriage break-ups have increased.
Let's gaze and be amazed at God's solution of marriage – both to someone of the opposite sex, and also spiritual marriage to Christ (Eph. 5:22-33).
MARRIAGE IS FOR FRIENDSHIP
Marriage gives us a best friend,
But Christ is the best friend.
“A friend is great, but I need help in my daily life.”
MARRIAGE IS FOR HELP
Marriage provides a helper,
But Christ is a better helper.
“I appreciate the help, but I have a craving to live a shared life.”
MARRIAGE IS FOR SHARING
Marriage lets us share our lives,
But Christ lets us share our secrets.
“I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I need physical intimacy too.”
MARRIAGE IS FOR INTIMACY (25)
Marriage unites us physically,
But Christ unites us spiritually.
Could God have designed anything better than marriage between one man and one woman? Companionship instead of loneliness. Help instead of helplessness. Sharing instead of solitariness. Intimacy instead of distance.
Now of course, sin has entered since then. This has not only increased our need for marriage but also damaged marriage. Some never find someone to marry. Some end up in terrible marriages. Some marriages break up. Our response must not be to give up on marriage (or re-define it) but to seek spiritual marriage to Christ above all.
LIVING THE BIBLE
Find friendship, help, sharing, and intimacy in God's gift of marriage, and ultimately in God’s gift of marriage to Christ.