The Loneliest City

# The Loneliest City

In 2022, a Wall Street research firm conducted a study across American states to determine which city was the loneliest in the entire nation! They surveyed the population living in each city, examining how many people lived as singles, they calculated the number of single-person households, how many adults lived alone, and how many people aged 65 and older lived by themselves. They also surveyed the "friendly greeting" aspect of cities. They observed how many times you could pass by someone without receiving a friendly greeting. The result was that the city of Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, was rated as one of the loneliest cities!

The study revealed that: 34.2% of the population consists of single-person households and 13% of the population over 65 years old lives alone. Thus, nearly 50% of the population in this city are single-person households. Those living alone could be newcomers to the area with no one to live with, or worse, elderly people who have lost their loved ones and become widows and widowers. When moving to a new unfamiliar place without family nearby, one can feel terribly lonely. Regardless of the circumstances, if one must live alone, the isolation can cause spiritual collapse, and sometimes makes people feel hopeless about a better life! Gradually, people become depressed, and this is a serious health issue. In reality, not only in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, but throughout America, many people are struggling with depression every day!

How can we avoid such loneliness and depression? Thanks be to God, only He is omnipresent, always alongside each of His beloved people! Christians, even if they live alone physically, spiritually they always have God beside them, and this is one of the most precious comforts for His people! The Holy Spirit is the Source of renewal, encouragement, peace, and joy within each believer, expressed through God's Word and His presence. God's Word has promised, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10); "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18); "God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity..." (Psalm 68:6a). The Apostle Paul experienced God's love that endures forever for His people; we never lose the sheltering love that God bestows upon us. He said, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). Thanks be to God, no matter how lonely our circumstances may be, we always have God with us, every moment. God knows and always helps us. "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You" (Psalm 9:9-10). We pray that the Holy Spirit visits, upholds, and opens the hearts of those who have not yet believed in God, who are lonely, depressed, and sad; that He may help them come to know that Jesus Christ is the One they need and to accept Him as their Savior; so that no one need die slowly from the grip of loneliness; may God help us live joyfully in His eternal love and express it through our daily Christian living to those around us, so that His Name may be exalted and the Gospel may be proclaimed to all the earth! Thank you, God! Amen!

Blessed to have God always by our side, Caring for and watching over every step, Morning, noon, and evening, never alone, For our hearts are forever held in Father's love!

Thanks for God's unchanging love, Bringing salvation from our long suffering, Open our eyes, open our hearts, let us see, That only He endures, worthy of our trust!

Ngoc Huynh Bich (1) "Louisiana City Named One of The Loneliest in The Country," Chris Reed, https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3414032956995-louisiana-city-named-one-of-the-loneliest-in-the-country

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