The cure for Loneliness

Loneliness.
It is so easy to feel lonely, especially when you are single, I believe.  Sitting by yourself night after night watching The Bachelorette, Survivor (or is it just me?) and other mindless flashings on a device that I believe only influences greater loneliness...the television.  I often find myself on the verge of tears simply because I feel so lonely and don't know what to do about it.  Oftentimes these lonely feelings are accompanied by feelings of being pathetic, worthless, etc.  I go through my phone to see if there is anyone who could cheer me out of my plight, most times to only feel worse when I realize the shortage of names of people I feel comfortable calling just to chat.
I already know, everytime, that the answer to this loneliness is God...why then, is it so hard to reach out to the One who loves me more than anyone?

Most times, I crawl inside myself even more when I feel this way...only fostering the pain inside of me caused by this loneliness.

The Bible says loneliness was first brought to human kind by original sin in Genesis 3:1-13.  When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were separated from God and each other.  Loneliness was born at the fall.
Loneliness.

When Jesus went to the cross for us, he was betrayed and deserted by his friends and even his own Father had to turn away from him.
Loneliness.

Jesus made it so that we won't have to endure loneliness forever in heaven.  But, how do we deal with it here on Earth in the time being?  My personal experience is that I find it hardest to turn to God in those lonely moments.  It is easy to praise God when something good happens, and it is easy to turn to God when you have a need in your life.  Loneliness plays a different card I feel.  When loneliness occurs, I feel the devil wants me to do the things I usually do.  "Wallow in self pity", he says.  So I do, when, in fact, this is far from the answer.
Loneliness.

So, what is the answer?  What is the cure?  God does not just give you more friends when you are lonely.  Will that really solve your loneliness anyway?  I don't think so.  I live with 5 other people and I am sitting here feeling the pangs of loneliness right now.  No, more friends won't solve the problem.  A significant other won't solve the problem.  The lonely must ask God to change THEM in order to break the chains of loneliness.  Matthew 6:33 says "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness."  When pleasing God is in the forefront of your mind, loneliness has a hard time getting a foothold.  As a God pleaser, you look at people with love and you want to do things for them.  God puts people in our path for a purpose: to love them, even in small, simple ways.
Loneliness.

Loneliness is not when you are invisible to other people, it is when other people are invisible to you.  Scripture tells us to love one another (John 13:34).

No matter who you are or what your situation is, we will experience loneliness in a fallen world.  God wants to enter into our loneliness and transform it.  We become united with Him when we submit our lives to Jesus, and he calls us to enter into each others' loneliness.

Psalm 25:16...Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

Deuteronomy 31:6...Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Psalm 38:9-15....All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you...I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God