Lingapin mo ako, at ako’y kahabagan, pagkat nangungulila at nanlulupaypay.

Awit 25:16

In 2021, a study on loneliness found that one in two Gen Zs and millennials reported that they regularly feel lonely — a figure much higher than that of other generations. Perhaps, this is an impact of numerous lockdowns imposed on everyone at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A huge factor, too, is an unhealthy engagement in social media where we don’t get the deeper connections that we really need, and get from real life.  

The Word of God acknowledges that loneliness is real. Read through the book of Psalms and you’ll encounter pleas, poems, rants, and prayers uttered from the depths of loneliness. 

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted,” cries the psalmist (Psalm 25:16, NIV). He knows who to call when he’s at his lowest point. Sa gitna ng kanyang pangungulila at panlulupaypay, humingi siya ng habag sa Panginoon. 

Only God can heal our lonely hearts. Only He can fill the void we feel but cannot explain. Saint Augustine puts this truth into words when he wrote, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in every man that only Christ can fill.”

Sadly, our lonely generations try in vain to fill this God-shaped vacuum in many other ways — social media, video games, food tripping, online dating, YouTube unboxing, Netflix bingeing, TikTok challenges. We indulge in all these earthly pleasures. But how come we’re still lonely?

Friend, are you one of the countless lonely people on this planet? Pagod ka na bang maging malungkot? Hear Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). Let Him fill the God-shaped vacuum in your heart. He came to give you life in its fullness (John 10:10). He sent the Holy Spirit to fill you with love, joy, peace, and so much more (Galatians 5:22–23). Only Jesus can do all these for you.