FIGHTING THE SHADOW

Big Idea: Loneliness is a silent epidemic, but God designed us for relationship. We must reject the lie that isolation is no big deal and take intentional action to build authentic community.

Key Points:

Reject the Lie That Isolation Is No Big Deal

• According to the American Psychiatric Association, three out of every ten people experienced loneliness this week.
• In May 2023, The Surgeon General called loneliness a public health epidemic.

[1 Kings 19:3-4, 9-10] “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.’ There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ Elijah replied, ‘I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.'”

Notice what isolation did to Elijah:

• Distorted his perspective – He thought he was “the only one left”
• Led to despair – A man who called down fire from heaven wanted to die
• Came right after victory – This happened immediately after his greatest triumph

[1 Peter 5:8] “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

“Lions don’t attack an entire herd – they isolate their prey. Satan’s strategy is identical – isolate, then attack.”

“Isolation isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s spiritually dangerous.”

Embrace the Truth That God Designed Us for Relationship

[Genesis 2:18] “The Lord said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'”

• In a perfect world, with a perfect relationship with God, the first “not good” thing wasn’t sin or suffering. It was isolation.

[John 15:15] “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”

[Ecclesiastes 4:9-12] “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

God’s design is crystal clear: We are better together.

• One person alone = “real trouble”
• Two people together = mutual help and protection
• Three together = unbreakable strength

[1 Thessalonians 5:11] “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

[Galatians 6:2] “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

“Friendship is a superpower.”

Take Action That Builds Authentic Community

[Acts 2:42-47] “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer… And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had… They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

[Hebrews 10:24-25] “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

What it takes to build community:

1. Intentionality

• “Let us think of ways…” Real community doesn’t happen by accident.
• Friendships are like gardens – they don’t grow by accident.

[Proverbs 27:17] “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

2. Vulnerability

• The next time a friend asks how you’re doing, share something real.

[James 5:16] “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

[1 John 1:7] “If we walk in the light… we have fellowship with one another.”

“Real talk creates real connection. Someone has to go first. Why not you?”

Next Steps:

1. Connect with someone you want to know better:

• Put it on your calendar: Coffee with the same person twice this month
• Host something simple – invite 2-3 people over for pizza, games, or conversation

2. Practice real vulnerability this week:

• Next time someone asks “How are you?” tell them something true
• Ask someone for prayer about something specific in your life
• Someone has to go first – why not you?

“Loneliness is less about the number of people around you and more about the quality of connection with people around you.”

“Loneliness is the shadow that whispers lies. But Jesus speaks truth: ‘I have called you friend.’ And in his family, no one has to fight the shadows alone.”

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