Jesus Is All You Need – True or False?

I’m going to say something that may be controversial if you’re a Christian.

Many times, post-divorce, people have told me in an effort to comfort: “Jesus is all you need.”

My spirit flinches when I hear this.

I’m starting to believe it’s not just bad advice, but unbiblical.

Jesus Is All You Need – True or False?

Let me say something first. Do we have plenty of stories in the Bible where God sustained someone who was truly alone? Yes, of course. What comes to my mind is Elijah in the wilderness, David hiding in caves, and Hagar fleeing a terrible situation.

So is God with us every moment when we are truly alone? Without a doubt.

But is Jesus all we need? My answer is no.

Why? We were created to be in community with one another. Because we are made in God’s image, it means we exist in relationship, like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in constant relationship with one another. This is intrinsic to their identity as the Triune God.

If you are telling yourself or hearing from others that Jesus is all you need, I offer a different perspective.

Is Jesus All You Need?

I have been lonely my entire life. As a child of divorce at age 4, loneliness first set in and never left.

It was my unwanted companion for all 21 years of my terrible marriage.

For the first four decades of my life, I was emotionally abused every day, and this created a huge hole of loneliness.

The past 3.5 years of my life have been the most difficult ones I’ve ever lived, and they have also been the loneliest years, despite my concerted efforts to change that fact.

Despite these challenges, I have always been deeply close to God, starting at the age of three.

I literally can’t remember not believing in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I’ve walked closely beside him since I was very young, and I enjoy deep, daily fellowship with Jesus.

I’ve also always been surrounded by Christian friends, a rich blessing I don’t take for granted.

Yet this doesn’t feel like enough.

Jesus Is Not All You Need

For the past week, I’ve lived alone for the very first time in my life.

I thought I’d be used to this since I’ve worked from home for 18 years of my career. I have my three dogs, my gardens, and my beautiful home to enjoy. I also feel God’s presence with me every single moment.

But it isn’t enough, and this week has shown me that.

In my deep grief over my empty nest this week, I had some unexpectedly dark thoughts. I broke into sobs several times per day, and sensed the low tides in my soul due to loneliness.

I recognize all these signs of depression since I’ve suffered them many times before. I know the steps to combat them, including getting out in nature and exercising. Those activities did lift my spirit somewhat on Tuesday night.

However, last night the tide turned.

My daughter showed up unexpectedly. We spent the night together, and I felt 1000 percent better when I went to bed.

Quality time is my number one love language. When I’m deprived of that for too long, things go sideways in my mood. But spending time with my daughter last night filled my cup to overflowing, and that’s why I felt so much better.

I also felt much better because I’m not designed to be a lone ranger, though I am a true introvert. Made in God’s image, I crave fellowship with others, and spending time talking to Jesus all day long simply cannot fill that need.

Jesus Is All You Need – Plus People!

Years ago, I read a scene about loneliness from one of Donald Miller’s books. He was vacationing in a remote area, perhaps the Rocky Mountains. As I recall, a man stepped out of a cabin and spoke to Donald and his friends. But there was something off about his mannerisms and speech. Donald realized it’s simply because the man is always alone and has forgotten what it’s like to be around people.

I don’t want to be that person, a hermit who loses social skills. I’m not going to pridefully hide myself away from the world and ignore the way God designed me (and all of us) – to need others.

Regularly at my church, my head pastor says that God doesn’t call Christians to be lone rangers. He says when we are alone, that’s when the enemy picks us off. That’s exactly what was happening to me earlier this week, when Satan was whispering dark lies to me in my loneliness.

So I’m taking steps to get out in front of people and interact with them every day – not simply watch them from afar. It takes effort, but the dopamine and oxytocin exchange from interacting with people is better than any antidepressant or painkiller. That’s what I felt coursing through my veins last night with my daughter, and I won’t let another day go by without it.

The scripture that keeps going through my mind is this one:

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Hebrews 10:25 NLT

I’m so blessed to have a vibrant church where I can connect with others regularly – yet I’m going to make the effort to reach out every single day to someone for fellowship. That’s how God designed the church to function, not just on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week.

So, if you’re one of the many people who are lonely and wondering why all the time alone with God doesn’t feel like enough, that’s because it’s not enough. Here are my suggestions based on my own experience:

Get out and connect with others because that’s how God designed you.Don’t just take, but give back by being a good friend and a good listener. When you feel low, at the bare minimum, call someone on the phone (don’t simply text). FaceTime or Zoom is even better. In-person is best.If you are really feeling low, don’t hesitate to call for help. I made this free call years ago and it set me on a better path.

I hope this post has encouraged you today! If so, please share it on social media now!

Jesus is all you need - true or false? If you are telling yourself or hearing from others that Jesus is all you need, I offer a different perspective. #lonely #loneliness #christianity
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