Ever feel alone being a Christian?

[Kat70s]

I'm living overseas and pretty much by myself.

I grew up independent Baptist and there are NONE here in Finland. 

I've tried some of the English churches and while nice, it's just not the same. I'm still learning Finnish so my options for Finnish services are limited.

I've always enjoyed the online community and felt fellowship on here, etc.

I am just wondering if it's common to feel lonely sometimes...

I'm not interested in movies or music, and seem to more in common with Muslim people here than other Christians.

Just at a loss I suppose...I have been thinking of moving back to USA and getting my CNA training...but I feel God wants me here..

 

Katrina 

 

 

[Mike Mclees]

30 minutes ago, Kat70s said:

I'm living overseas and pretty much by myself.

I grew up independent Baptist and there are NONE here in Finland. 

I've tried some of the English churches and while nice, it's just not the same. I'm still learning Finnish so my options for Finnish services are limited.

I've always enjoyed the online community and felt fellowship on here, etc.

I am just wondering if it's common to feel lonely sometimes...

I'm not interested in movies or music, and seem to more in common with Muslim people here than other Christians.

Just at a loss I suppose...I have been thinking of moving back to USA and getting my CNA training...but I feel God wants me here..

 

Katrina 

 

 

You mentioned feeling more comfortable with Muslim and the rest of your remarks reveals that you unsettled. Could you expand a little more. The apostle Paul says he learned to be at peace in all things and situations seeing and knowing  his identity was in Christ alone. What are your thoughts 0n that.  Jesus asked the disciples who do you say that I am. Peter answered thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God. What are your feelings on that? 

[Starise]

I can certainly understand feeling that way in a place you maybe see as odd and unfamiliar, or maybe dissimilar to where you once lived. Add to this not being able to find the kind of people and churches you are most comfortable associating with and I think anyone would feel alone.

It sort of reminds me of when I left a southern state in the US for a northern state. I can remember it feeling very out of place, even though I knew at least one other person there it was difficult. Though my surroundings and culture were different, I think it was the vacuum of relationships that bothered me the most. None of those warm smiles to greet me or old friends to meet. 

So to hear you say this is, it isn't particularly surprising you would feel this way. What are the solutions? I think we should pray the Lord send you Christian friends, not just online but there in that location. I would earnestly pray for this.

[missmuffet]

What does the Bible say about loneliness?

https://www.gotquestions.org

ANSWER

Being alone and being lonely are two different things. One can be alone without being lonely, and one can be lonely in a crowded room. Loneliness is, therefore, a state of mind, an emotion brought on by feelings of separation from other human beings. The sense of isolation is very deeply felt by those who are lonely. The Hebrew word translated “desolate” or “lonely” in the Old Testament means “one alone, only; one who is solitary, forsaken, wretched.” There is no deeper sadness that ever comes over the mind than the idea that we are alone in the world, that we do not have a friend, that no one cares for us, that no one is concerned about anything that might happen to us, that no one would care if we were to die or shed a tear over our grave.

No one felt loneliness more keenly than David. In a series of earnest, heartfelt appeals to God, David cried out in his loneliness and despair. His own son jad risen up against him, the men of Israel went after him, and he was forced to flee from the city, and leave his house and family. Lonely and afflicted (Psalm 25:16), his only recourse was to turn to God and plead for mercy and God’s intervention (Psalm 25:21) because his only hope was in God. It is interesting to note that the word “lonely” is never used in the New Testament to describe people. In the New Testament, the word “lonely” only occurs twice and both times refers to desolate places (Mark 1:45; Luke 5:16), where Jesus moved off into the wilderness to be alone.

Whatever the cause of loneliness, for the Christian the cure is always the same—the comforting fellowship of Christ. That loving relationship with our Master has reassured and encouraged countless thousands who languished in prisons and even went to their deaths for His sake. He is the friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24), who lays down His life for His friends (John 15:13-15), and who has promised never to leave us or forsake us but to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). We can take comfort in the words of the old hymn that says it best: “Friends may fail me, foes assail me, He is with me to the end. Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

Edited June 30, 2022 by missmuffet

[enoob57]

4 hours ago, Kat70s said:

I'm living overseas and pretty much by myself.

I grew up independent Baptist and there are NONE here in Finland. 

I've tried some of the English churches and while nice, it's just not the same. I'm still learning Finnish so my options for Finnish services are limited.

I've always enjoyed the online community and felt fellowship on here, etc.

I am just wondering if it's common to feel lonely sometimes...

I'm not interested in movies or music, and seem to more in common with Muslim people here than other Christians.

Just at a loss I suppose...I have been thinking of moving back to USA and getting my CNA training...but I feel God wants me here..

 

Katrina 

 

 

Will be praying for you in this!

[Kat70s]

3 hours ago, Mike Mclees said:

You mentioned feeling more comfortable with Muslim and the rest of your remarks reveals that you unsettled. Could you expand a little more. The apostle Paul says he learned to be at peace in all things and situations seeing and knowing  his identity was in Christ alone. What are your thoughts 0n that.  Jesus asked the disciples who do you say that I am. Peter answered thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God. What are your feelings on that? 

Hello!

I guess it's because the Muslims are more modest (the ones I met in my Finnish courses). They are devout and talk about their beliefs alot. Finnish Christians are very quiet and reserved about their faith, if they are practicing. Americans are so talkative about different faiths, their beliefs, etc. That way we're very open and communicative like the Muslim people I've met.  

I have alot to learn from Paul! Oh yeah sorry if it came across like I was wanting to convert to Islam, that's not the case. I just wish I could find, in Finland, Christians who are so passionate about their beliefs! 

I feel like I am just rowing the boat alone with the type of Christianity I was brought up...that I am one in a million. 

Christ is the Savior and died for my sins, and that is one gift that is the best!
 

Thanks for replying!
 

Also it just dawned on me what if the muslims are open because they want to convert me...:/ oh

Kat

 

[Kat70s]

3 hours ago, Starise said:

I can certainly understand feeling that way in a place you maybe see as odd and unfamiliar, or maybe dissimilar to where you once lived. Add to this not being able to find the kind of people and churches you are most comfortable associating with and I think anyone would feel alone.

It sort of reminds me of when I left a southern state in the US for a northern state. I can remember it feeling very out of place, even though I knew at least one other person there it was difficult. Though my surroundings and culture were different, I think it was the vacuum of relationships that bothered me the most. None of those warm smiles to greet me or old friends to meet. 

So to hear you say this is, it isn't particularly surprising you would feel this way. What are the solutions? I think we should pray the Lord send you Christian friends, not just online but there in that location. I would earnestly pray for this.

AMEN and that is a great idea! Thanks! I am such a loner and an introvert it will take a literal miracle.

Thanks for replying!
 

Katrina 

[Kat70s]

37 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

What does the Bible say about loneliness?

https://www.gotquestions.org

ANSWER

Being alone and being lonely are two different things. One can be alone without being lonely, and one can be lonely in a crowded room. Loneliness is, therefore, a state of mind, an emotion brought on by feelings of separation from other human beings. The sense of isolation is very deeply felt by those who are lonely. The Hebrew word translated “desolate” or “lonely” in the Old Testament means “one alone, only; one who is solitary, forsaken, wretched.” There is no deeper sadness that ever comes over the mind than the idea that we are alone in the world, that we do not have a friend, that no one cares for us, that no one is concerned about anything that might happen to us, that no one would care if we were to die or shed a tear over our grave.

No one felt loneliness more keenly than David. In a series of earnest, heartfelt appeals to God, David cried out in his loneliness and despair. His own son jad risen up against him, the men of Israel went after him, and he was forced to flee from the city, and leave his house and family. Lonely and afflicted (Psalm 25:16), his only recourse was to turn to God and plead for mercy and God’s intervention (Psalm 25:21) because his only hope was in God. It is interesting to note that the word “lonely” is never used in the New Testament to describe people. In the New Testament, the word “lonely” only occurs twice and both times refers to desolate places (Mark 1:45; Luke 5:16), where Jesus moved off into the wilderness to be alone.

Whatever the cause of loneliness, for the Christian the cure is always the same—the comforting fellowship of Christ. That loving relationship with our Master has reassured and encouraged countless thousands who languished in prisons and even went to their deaths for His sake. He is the friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24), who lays down His life for His friends (John 15:13-15), and who has promised never to leave us or forsake us but to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). We can take comfort in the words of the old hymn that says it best: “Friends may fail me, foes assail me, He is with me to the end. Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

Thank you for posting this! I appreciate it!

Katrina 

[Kat70s]

30 minutes ago, enoob57 said:

Will be praying for you in this!

Thanks so much! I appreciate this!

Katrina 

[Kat70s]

28 minutes ago, believeinHim said:

Yes, I Have. I sincerely want to be apart of the Episcopal church next door to me, However they are not following God's teachings, And have been admonished for it and are still not following God's teachings. There is a Baptist church near me however it is a bit further, And a little impractical for walking distance. 

I too, Or I guess I should say, I neither am interested in movies, or music. I would say I am more interested in music, than movies, However that switches up with me sometimes when I see all of the corruption in modern day music. It's hard to be a Christian in modern day Christian society, It is definitely hard to be a Christian in modern day society. I neither fit in with modern Christians, nor Muslims, either. I have had someone who dresses way to the extreme than me be the only reciprocating woman about talking about dressing modestly. I do not dress like a Muslim. I dress modestly. C'est la vie. 

I am sorry to hear you are in the same boat as me! It is REALLY hard trying to find a place, and our "people" in a sense.

"It's hard to be a Christian in modern day Christian society" THIS is a great observation and thank you for saying it, because YES. 

I dress modestly but I don't want to dress to the extreme of modesty. I agree, such is life.

I'll pray that you find your spot and thanks again for replying to me!
 

Katrina