Genesis 16:13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
This last Sunday, Pastor Obie preached a sermon on the above Bible verse about Hagar, who when isolated and alone said: “You are the God who sees me.” Psychologists are discovering that in the wake of the past viral pandemic, another pandemic has been silently on the rise; labelled the pandemic of loneliness.
The people of the world were asked to practice “Social Distancing” from one another during the last two years to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. But, there was an issue with the phrasing of this message and words matter. “Physical distancing” is one thing, but “Social distancing” is another. Social communication with friends and acquaintances were halted. Social connection between family members was stopped. People began to socially isolate during the pandemic, causing Type A personality interpersonal relationship problems, because positive personal contact is essential for the psychological and physiological health of many extraverts. Long-term isolation leaves these basic needs unsatisfied in gregarious people and ultimately affects the mental and physical health of these individuals. Loneliness in society was an issue prior to the COVID pandemic, especially in an existential, hedonistic, and materialistic culture today, but was exacerbated by the “social distancing” problem, where unlimited trends, socializing, entertainment and indulgences ceased and it felt like “nobody sees you”. Although Type A & B personality implies a personality typology, it is more appropriately conceptualized as a trait continuum, with extremes Type-A and Type-B individuals on each end, so people across the personality spectrum are affected differently by life circumstances. But, everyone was affected by “social distancing” to some extent.
What does to feel unseen mean? It’s the psychological feeling that nobody understands you; that nobody hears you; that nobody cares; that you don’t have anyone to go to and talk; being unnoticed and alone. But, you are not unseen. I am here to tell you that you are seen, you are heard, you matter and you are loved. That is the answer, but the question is: Why in those moments do I feel that I am alone and unseen? In modern day times, we are the most connected generation in all of history. Yet, we are considered the loneliest generation in history. The issue is obvious what people are looking to for fulfillment and where people are looking for contentment. As the old Jonny Lee song goes: I was looking for love in all the wrong places. The love of Christ is foundational.
We have the ability to connect to thousands of people, allowing us to have friends that we can communicate with all over the world. Yet, the depth of those social network relationships are only an inch deep. Social Media tends to isolate from face-to-face contact. Cigna Health’s survey found that almost 50% of all young people feel bored, lonely and unseen. It is taking a toll on society. A YouGov poll showed that one out of four young people could not name a “true” friend that they had a deep relationship to confide in. Why is it so scarce now? Last year in the United States, the rate of depression in young people raised to 33%. The loneliness pandemic of the mind is arguable worse than the coronavirus on the mind of many. Researchers have discovered that loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. It is found to be deadlier than obesity. The psychological studies find that feelings of loneliness increases the chance of premature dead by 50%. The worldwide viral epidemic is moving to a conclusion, but the loneliness epidemic is on-going. Social distancing is still taking place. People are not as close as they once were. It begs the questions: Why are we the loneliest generation in history? And, why wasn’t loneliness and depression as much an issue in the past?
Let's hear what Pastor Obie's message had to say in the next post.
In God We Trust, in Christ, Brian
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