Our Need of Encouragement

[422 words] We are at a time in world history where we are more “connected” than ever before (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.). Due to the advances of technology, we are able to do things that previous generations could not even imagine. Ironically, our ability to connect digitally has not solved our pressing problems such as isolation and loneliness. Sadly, such seems to have actually exacerbated the problem. The world seems more lonely than ever. Two examples of how desperate our world is for encouragement, fellowship, and belonging: First, in the United Kingdom, they recently created a new governmental position. They are calling it the “Minister of Loneliness.” This government official is tasked with dealing with the ever-growing problem of isolation. One out of every ten people in the UK say that they feel lonely “always.” This is a problem for many reasons, among them is health risk. Some studies have…