Do you know anyone suffering from loneliness? Statistically, nearly 75 percent of all Americans report moderate-to-high levels of loneliness. The U.S. Surgeon General has stated we have an “epidemic of loneliness” and it is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes day. This loneliness is not only leading to poor health conditions, but also costing employers an estimated $154 billion annually in absences and $6.7 billion annually in excess Medicare spending. All this sounds prolific and problematic, but there is hope.

It is sad for me as a pastor to hear how some in the church go to the mat regarding their own beliefs and conscience convictions about issues of liberty in their life (e.g., practices that Scripture does not directly prohibit such as drinking alcohol, political views, education of children, music choices, insurance, use of TV, marijuana, etc.). What is sad and even tragic to me is to see how certain liberty convictions are justified and appear to be held stronger than the essential and clearly stated doctrines of the faith.