In January 2024, the United States had 320.6 million social media1 users in a population of 341,814,420.2 That is 93.7% of the population connected! “The average user now spreads their digital footprint across a staggering six to seven platforms every month.”3 The most popular of those platforms are YouTube (83%), Facebook (68%), Instagram (47%), Pintrest (35%), and TikTok (33%).4 Those involved with Facebook have, on average, 150 “friends.”5
Those statistics make us scratch our heads when we read articles like one in the February 1, 2024, edition of US News and World Report. The headline of the article declared: “Loneliness Is Plaguing Americans in 2024.
“Americans are terribly lonely, a new poll reveals. Among U.S. adults, about one in three said they feel lonely at least once a week. Worse, one in 10 Americans say they feel lonely every day, results show. Younger people are more likely to experience loneliness, which is defined as a lack of meaningful or close relationships or sense of belonging, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s latest Healthy Minds Monthly Poll. About 30% of respondents ages 18 to 34 said they feel lonely every day or several times a week.”6
There’s a huge inconsistency and discrepancy in this information. If 93.7% are on social media and the younger crowd is the most connected, how can they also be the loneliest? It leads me to believe that social media friends aren’t friends and a social media account is not the same as a flesh and blood friend sitting across a table from you, enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation.
With that being said, today is National Cheer Up The Lonely Day. It shouldn’t be hard to find someone in this condition. It might even be you.
How do we help someone with their loneliness? Two things are vitally important. First, BE THERE. Be PRESENT. We must be a viable, touchable, huggable, physical presence for someone. A letter, card, or phone call is a starting point but there is something special about just being there.
We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 12:22-25, “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: (23) And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. (24) For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: (25) That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” Providing care requires contact. The “parts that lack” need to be shown that care.
The second thing we do is to remind them that they are never truly alone. The 23rd Psalm is full of references of how our Shepherd is with us through every step of life. Even if we are isolated in a deep, dark cave – or it just feels like that – we are never alone.
The anonymous writer of the hymn Never Alone put it this way:
I’ve seen the lightning flashing and heard the thunder roll,
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, which tried to conquer my soul;
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, He bid me still fight on:
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.
No, never alone, No, never alone;
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone:
No, never alone, No, never alone:
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.7
Hebrews 13:5-6. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
1https://www.statista.com/topics/3196/social-media-usage-in-the-united-states/#topicOverview
2https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/us-population/
3https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/social-media-statistics/
4https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-social-media-use/
5https://www.sciencealert.com/science-says-this-is-how-many-friends-you-should-have-on-social-media
6https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-02-01/loneliness-is-plaguing-americans-in-2024-poll
7https://hymnary.org/text/ive_seen_the_lightning_flashing
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