According to an article in Slate Magazine, "Loneliness has doubled: 40 percent of adults in two recent surveys said they were lonely, up from 20 percent in the 1980s." Increased loneliness has lead to the following serous health risks:

Studies of elderly people and social isolation concluded that those without adequate social interaction were twice as likely to die early.  The increased mortality risk [from loneliness] is comparable to that of smoking and twice as dangerous as obesity. Social isolation impairs immune function and boosts inflammation, which can lead to arthritis, type II diabetes, and heart disease.

Loneliness is not just making us sick, it is killing us. But, sadly, as a culture we rarely talk about it. John T. Cacioppo, a researcher at the University of Chicago who studies the effects of loneliness, put it this way: "Admitting you are lonely is like holding a big L [for loser] on your forehead."

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

Today, or tomorrow, or next week, you and I will meet people who are incredibly lonely. They may not admit it, and they might not be willing to share just how despondent they may feel on a regular basis, but our job is to bring a little ray of light into their lives.

We're Christians, and we can be the "hands of Christ" to those around us...especially the lonely ones. Especially during the current situation in our world, we have the opportunity to reach out (even if it's only by telephone, text message, e-mail, or through Facebook Messenger), to someone who may be struggling with loneliness.

The frequent inability for people to physically be with each compounds the loneliness that many people feel, and our willingness to reach out can mean so much!

How is God leading you today, to reach out towards someone else with care, concern, and Christian love?