No matter whether you are young or more seasoned in life, everyone has experienced loneliness and isolation.
At an early age, you may have been the kid always picked last when choosing teams to play sports. Seeing everyone being picked before you was a lonely feeling, and you were standing on an island of rejection by yourself.
As you got older, you were possibly acquainted with isolation when your families moved to another town, and you had to acclimate to a new school and classmates. Feelings of isolation sank in every recess until you made new friends.
Many of us moved out of state to Universities, jobs, and other opportunities where we knew no one and felt like a foreigner in a strange land.
Whatever circumstances are leading to our feelings of loneliness, we can always find a way to adapt and adjust. And the Bible is a great tool, full of wisdom and insight to help us deal with and overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation.
It also reminds us that we are never truly alone; God is with us and available to help us emotionally when we are at our lowest point.
What are Loneliness and Isolation?
Loneliness is when we desire relationships and social contact with others, but there is no one to interact with. Isolation is the feeling and or reality many have when they are lonely. Unfortunately, this is common for many of us as we age through widowhood and living alone.
Isolation can also occur when our children are raised and living in different cities, we suffer from chronic illnesses, or we lose close friends or family members.
However, loneliness and isolation are much more profound than this. Loneliness is also a state of mind where someone is in a crowded room full of people yet feel lonely. Many lonely people socially isolate themselves from others because even though there are others around to connect to, the connections are not meaningful or fulfilling.
Isolation can be a good thing for our mental, physical, and spiritual health. But it has a harmful side to it as well. Many people isolate themselves socially when they feel emotionally numb and aren't willing to share their feelings with others. This can often happen after a traumatic event.
Signs of unhealthy isolation and the effects include:
Learning to have healthy interactions with others to combat loneliness and isolation is necessary.
It helps to improve our moods and overall well-being. It may be as simple as joining a cause or community service group within your local church. You can also find it helpful to study scripture to deepen your connection with God.
Other practical steps to dealing with loneliness and isolation include staying in touch with loved ones and friends daily through social media, text, or phone. You can also take a class to learn a new skill you have been dying to know or pick up an old hobby.
Lastly, you can volunteer at an animal shelter or adopt a pet. Nothing in life is more fulfilling to combat loneliness and isolation than when we are sharing love and focusing on enhancing the lives of others.
27 Bible Verses about Dealing with Loneliness and Isolation
1. Proverbs 18:1
“He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound wisdom.”
2. Psalms 27:10
“Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child].”
3. Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.”
Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.” – Psalms 23:4
4. Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
5. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”
6. Psalms 68:5-6
“A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely; He leads the prisoners into prosperity; only the stubborn and rebellious dwell in a parched land.”
7. Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].”
8. 1st Peter 5:7
“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
9. Psalms 25:15-17
“My eyes are continually toward the Lord, for He will bring my feet out of the net. Turn to me [Lord] and be gracious to me, for I am alone and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are multiplied; Bring me out of my distresses.”
10. Genesis 2:18
“Now the Lord God said, “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him.”
11. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. Again if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. Again if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
12. Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”
13. Hebrews 13:1-2
“Let love of your fellow believers continue. Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
14. Romans 12:4-5
“For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].”
15. 1st Corinthians 12:20-22
“But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary.”
16. 1st Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.”
17. Romans 15:1
“Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves.”
18. Psalms 34:17-20
“When the righteous cry [for help], the Lord hears and rescues them from all their distress and troubles. The Lord is near to the heartbroken and He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin). Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the Lord rescues him from them all. He keeps all his bones; Not one of them is broken.”
19. Acts 8:30-31
“Philip ran up and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I [understand] unless someone guides me [correctly]?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”
20. 1st Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].”
No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” – 1st Corinthians 10:13
21. Psalms 139:7-10
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will take hold of me.”
22. Isaiah 54:11
“And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places, and give strength to your bones, and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
23. James 4:8
“Come close to God [with a contrite heart], and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].”
24. Isaiah 49:16
“Indeed, I have inscribed [a picture of] you on the palms of My hands…”
25. Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].”
26. 1st Samuel 12:22
“The Lord will not abandon His people for His great name's sake because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.”
27. Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].”
Final Thoughts on 27 Bible Verses about Dealing with Loneliness and Isolation
When we feel lonely and isolated, we feel like it reflects negatively on the value we have in the world. We can often get into our own heads and view life through the negative lenses of our emotions.
Thus, we may start feeling as if no one cares and we have nothing significant to offer others. But that is so far from the truth.
The best way to deal with loneliness and isolation is to come against it. Get out of our comfort zones and put ourselves out there again!
I remember being single and living hours away from my family and close friends. But through prayer and reading bible verses about loneliness and how to deal with it, I became aware of the great person that God made me to be, and I became comfortable in my own skin.
Before long, it was like the clouds of loneliness and dread lifted, and I looked forward to each new day and the adventures it would bring. I embraced people like I never had before.
I experienced personal growth, began to love the person I saw in the mirror and the uniqueness that I bring to the world.
Years later, I still find help through the verses of the Bible to comfort and encourage me… and remind me that even in my darkest days, the Lord is by my side, and I am never truly alone.
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 25 Bible Verses About Having Courage During Tough Times
- 21 Bible Verses About Having Self-Control in Your Life
- 35 Bible Verses About the Importance of Self-Love
