Worse than Alone

1 Timothy 5:5-6 KJV

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

I understand that the passage is speaking specifically about widows, but there is a truth that I believe is may be applied across the board. I see it in the two terms:

• Desolate
• Dead

The term desolate means alone. It is one of the most terrible feelings a person can experience in this life. God said "It is not good that the man should be alone." We all do better in a community and better yet in a relationship, especially with a mate. To be without husband, children or even nieces and nephews is a desolate circumstance indeed. But there is something worse.

Verse six opens with the word "But". It immediately tells us that this passage is in contrast with the one previous. The widow indeed is desolate but she is in good stead so long as she trusts God. The one who lives in pleasure is not desolate but dead. This one has no life at all. While she may breath and eat, and have company, she is none the less without life and without God.

The truth is this; the person who trusts God, even if they are forced to do so alone, is in a much better place than the person who has all that this life can offer, including family and friends, if they have all of that but do not have a faith relationship with Jesus Christ.