Digital Only: Young Adults
Feeling Lonely? Here Are 3 Tips That Make a Difference for Me
The author lives in Cuneo, Italy.
Being a member of the Church in Italy can be lonely, but I’ve learned that I am never alone.
I live in a small town in Italy, where there are only four young single adults in my branch.
Most people here practice Catholicism, so they are connected by their shared beliefs. I often feel out of place as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It’s easy to feel like I’m on my own when striving to become more like the Savior. I do my best to follow Him. I want to accept President Russell M. Nelson’s invitations to “overcome the world”1 and “think celestial,”2 but sometimes I get discouraged when I feel like I’m standing alone in my faith.
However, when loneliness sets in, certain practices help me keep moving forward with faith. Here are three tips that help me overcome that loneliness.
Make Reading the Scriptures a Habit
When I feel overwhelmingly lonely, I take a moment to cry out to Heavenly Father through prayer. I tell Him how I’m feeling and then open my scriptures. Somehow, I always find the truths I need to hear in that moment.
While the verses don’t always describe my exact circumstances, the truths in them fill my heart with hope and comfort. Loneliness slips away when I have quiet moments to ponder the words of ancient prophets who testify of Christ.
They constantly remind me that I’m loved, that God is aware of my circumstances, and that things are going to be OK.
Making a habit to consistently read my scriptures and pray, even when it’s hard, helps me feel happier, more confident, and more connected to the Spirit.
If we invite the Savior into our lives by studying the scriptures, He will always be there, reminding us of who we are and connecting us to Heavenly Father.
Remember the Enabling Power of Jesus Christ
I’ve always turned to Jesus Christ to find forgiveness and peace. But I’ve also come to understand that He can provide me support when I feel alone.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained that when the Savior was suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, “He crie[d] in ultimate loneliness, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ [Matthew 27:46; emphasis added].”
Elder Holland continued: “It is my personal belief that in all of Christ’s mortal ministry the Father may never have been closer to His Son than in these agonizing final moments of suffering. Nevertheless, that the supreme sacrifice of His Son might be as complete as it was voluntary and solitary, the Father briefly withdrew from Jesus the comfort of His Spirit, the support of His personal presence. … This perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to know how the rest of humankind—us, all of us—would feel when we did commit such sins.”3
Because of this, He knows how to succor us (see Alma 7:11–12). He knows exactly how we feel.
Jesus Christ walked that path alone so we don’t have to. Learning about Him and focusing on His enabling power gives me comfort, hope, and strength to press forward with faith.
Be Kind to Yourself
When I feel lonely, being kind to myself makes a huge difference. I nourish my mind with positive thoughts because I’ve realized that I am the person who I’m going to spend the rest of my life with! So, I should have a good relationship with myself.
Loneliness will only get worse if we aren’t kind to ourselves.
I treat myself like a friend. I remind myself of who I am and that even though I’m not perfect, I can always repent and keep trying to follow Christ. Elder Gary E. Stevenson recently invited us to “pause as you look at yourself in the mirror. Think to yourself, or say aloud if you like, ‘Wow, look at me! I am amazing! I am a child of God! He knows me! He loves me! I am gifted—gifted with the Holy Ghost as my constant companion!’”4
So, I do. I look in the mirror and tell myself these things. And then I laugh because I feel silly, but I also feel more confident, loved, and connected to the Spirit.
When you are your own friend, you’ll never feel you are without one.
You’re Never Alone
Sometimes I feel I’m the only one going through certain challenges. But I remind myself that there are so many young adults around the world who are in my same situation. Even if I don’t know who they are, they are striving to stand with Christ too.
I’m not alone.
Elder Alan T. Phillips of the Seventy recently said: “Many people feel overwhelmed, alone, isolated, or exhausted. … Knowing that we are all children of God and members of His eternal family will restore a sense of belonging and purpose.”5
Heavenly Father loves us. He has given us the tools to connect us with Him, His Son, and each other. We just need to remember to use them.
He knows you. He is with you. Don’t lose hope. Fill your life with the Spirit, and remember that as a child of God, you belong to His eternal family.
You are never alone.