Even with the 7.4 billion people who live on Earth, people everywhere struggle with loneliness, which often leads people to have damaging or awful relationships because they would rather have unhealthy relationships than no one to come home to.

Others go from person to person, often having dysfunctional relationships because of the fear of being lonely and unloved.

Loneliness and the fear of it are a real driving force behind many people's decisions and the attitudes they have.

But there is someone who understands our hearts completely. He knows our thoughts, feels our every emotion, and longs for us to know He is with us and for us. No matter how many hurdles we face or what we are going through, Jesus promises that He never leaves us alone. He is always calling us to Him, for us to open our hearts so we can receive and understand His love and comfort.

Life will have times when people let us down, when attacks of sickness or lack can stretch us to our limits. Times when the pressures of life can seem never-ending. Seasons of isolation, or feeling like nobody understands what we are going through. But these moments also allow us to lean into Jesus and know He is there for us.

Loneliness can, in actual fact, be an opportunity to discover intimacy with Jesus. He promises, "He will be with us, even to the end of the age". (Matthew 28:20), and that the Holy Spirit will be our helper and lead us in all truth.

"I will pray for the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth … I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:16–18).

Today know that Jesus, will never or desert you, nor will He ever forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5 NASB).

There is no place where He isn't. He is always everywhere, and we can constantly talk with Him and let Him talk to us.

He is stronger than our loneliness. He is more powerful than our problems, and He emphatically states that "we can do all things through Him who strengthens us." (Philippians 4:13 NASB)

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I am never alone, for you stand with me. Help me know and recognise that your presence is all around me, in the air I breathe. In Jesus' Name. Amen